AV 27th February 2016 by Asian Business Publications Ltd

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27th February to 5th March 2016

Rupanjana Dutta

The Brexit issue has taken Britain by storm- in fact much to everybody's surprise, as the Tory party is now divided between the supporters and non supporters of Great Britain leaving the EU. Negotiations between Britain and the European Union had kept Prime Minister David Cameron up all night over the weekend. However he emerged to have secured a 'special status' for Britain in Europe, after the two-day summit in Brussles. The date of the voting has been decided to be 23 June. PM Cameron of course had to make compromises to win his deal, and faces a major political test, as his allies fear justice secretary Michael Gove, a friend of the Prime Minister's campaign for Britain to exit the EU may have strong impact. London Mayor Boris Johnson has joined Mr Gove too- campaigning for 'Leave the EU' quite vocally. It is believed his wife, Marina Wheeler, who is half Indian, is one of the main driving force behind Boris to join the 'Leave' campaign. Calling for the voters to be unafraid to leave the EU Boris wrote in Daily Telegraph: “If the 'Leave' side wins, it will indeed be necessary to negotiate a large number of trade deals at great speed. But why should that be impossible? “We have become so used to Nanny in Brussles that we have become infrantilised, incapable of imagining an independent future.” Though Bo Jo's entry has brought a lot of excitement to the “In and Out' cam-

BoJo

Vol 44 | Issue 41

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

A CABINET DIVIDED

“He is wrong” paign, it is widely alleged that this move is Boris's big step towards his own ambition to be the next Tory party leader. Though David Cameron has been able to put Bo Jo

in his place, what the Prime Minister has failed to control is the plummeting sterling pound, that has hit its seven-year dollar low. Continued on page 6

JET AIRWAYS FARE

TRAVEL FROM - Dep: 04-APR-16 - Ret:30-MAY-16 MUMBAI £409 DELHI £440 AHMEDABAD - £415 VADODARA - £423 CHENNAI £399 RAJKOT £499 KOLKATA £412 BANGKOK £433

JNU ISSUE IGNITES MORE VIOLENCE IN INDIA

BANGALORE HYDERABAD COLOMBO DHAKA DEHRA DUN -

£400 £404 £439 £443 £497

P18 www.asian-voice.com

Jats set to get reservation; violence kills 19

After a week-long protest that claimed 19 lives, the Jat community in Haryana is set to get reservation in government jobs under a draft legislation, to be brought up in the next assembly session, giving the community an OBC status. BJP leader Anil Jain, in charge of the party affairs in Haryana, announced the decision after meeting union ministers, party leaders, and leaders of the Jat community and khaps. “It has been decided that in the coming assembly session, Jats will be given reservation in Haryana. In this regard, the government will bring a bill,” he said, addressing reporters. “In case of the Centre, a high-power committee will be formed which will be headed by a senior union minister.” The recent violence resorted by the Jat community has claimed the lives of 19 people, while over 150 sustained injuries. The violent agitation has paralysed the entire state as the railways and highways were blocked, cutting off all northern states from Delhi. Continued on page 26

ONE ONE with Keith Vaz, MP

Asian Voice |27th February 2016

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Surj Virk

Surj Virk is the Founder and Managing Director of a brand new ale craft brewed to complement spiced foods and Indian cuisine – Empress Ale. Developing a passion for real ale and craft beers he became frustrated with the limited choice of lager when visiting his favourite Indian restaurants. Determined to develop a new drink that complemented his favourite dishes Surj set to work with chefs, restaurateurs and master brewers to come up with the perfect Ale for spiced foods. After over a year of research, testing, tweaking and sampling - Empress Ale was born. Having worked in the political field, Surj also works for the City Mayor in Leicester looking after policy and projects of political importance. He was responsible for the formation of the King Richard III VC Trust and was also a member of the Bishop of Leicester’s Commission on Poverty, which presented a report to the House of Lords highlighting poverty issues affecting local people and communities. 1. What is your current position? I am the founder and managing director of Empress Ale - A brand new Ale craft brewed to complement spiced foods, mainly Indian cuisine. Following my frustrations of only being offered lager at my favourite restaurants I decided to develop my own craft ale that truly complements Indian cuisine. 2. What are your proudest achievements? There are two that I am particu-

larly proud of. 1. Making my initial idea for the Ale become a reality. 2. My Ale getting a seal of approval from two of my culinary heroes - Michelin Stared Atul Kochhar and Cyrus Todiwala – both of whose restaurants officially stock Empress Ale. 3. What inspires you? What inspires me is seeing individuals who are able to overcome obstacles in whatever form they appear and still achieve what they originally set out to

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I get the chance to w o r k a n d m e e t w i t h such a diverse range of individuals – from Michelin s t a r e d

do. People with self-belief who achieve success no matter how difficult, is something I admire and take inspiration from on a daily basis.

4. What has been the biggest obstacle in your career? When starting this new business and venture inevitably there have been a number of obstacles. For me it is more about how you deal with these obstacles that defines you. I truly believe that there is always a solution to a situation; you just have to think beyond the conventional. 5. Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date? My parents. I have learnt a lot from both. They, from an early age instilled the ethics of hard work and determination. My father passed away when my siblings and I were young but my mother worked incredibly hard to ensure we had everything we needed as a family. 6. What is the best aspect about your current role?

celebrity chefs through to craft beer enthusiasts. Everyday feels so exciting as I don’t know who or what is around the corner next! 7. And the worst? Time. I sometimes feel there are not enough hours in the day. I am my own worst enemy as I am impatient when it comes to results and expect a lot of myself, but I know we are all human and can only do so much within a day.

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8. What are your long term plans? I want to see the Empress Ale brand/business grow and expand to give people a real alternative to lager when visiting their favourite Indian restaurants. I never take anything for granted so am determined to enjoy time with my wife and daughter and learn from the journey and challenges ahead. 9. If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change? I would commit more resources to the NHS to make it sustainable for our future generations. The NHS is an institution to be very proud of the world over. It is a service we all rely on in times of need and should safeguard for the future. 10. If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why? For me it would have to be Leonardo Da Vinci. I would have so many questions to ask him. Here is an individual so ahead of his time; a prime example of a universal genius and I would love the opportunity to listen to his thoughts on life.

Parents demand answers from police after son’s Two teenage girls missing from Slough body left unidentified in morgue A police watchdog has launched an inquiry into how the body of a missing teenager lay unidentified in a morgue for more than two months after he was found in the Thames. The family of Krishna Chummun, 19, say the Met faces a series of questions over its handling of the case, including why they were not told of their son’s death. Krishna Chummum disappeared last August after playing football with friends and was reported missing by his family in Edmonton. His body was later recovered from the Thames near the London Eye in October. In November Met officers issued a missing persons appeal, not realising his body was lying in the morgue. His distraught family were only told the body had been identified on Boxing Day as that of their son.

Parents Chandra and Medha Chummun

His parents, Chandra and Medha Chummun, have criticised the missing persons inquiry, saying officers as-sumed Krishna had committed suicide because he sent a text from his phone saying he planned to kill himself. They accept he had been depressed after a row with his girlfriend but believe there is a possibility he was murdered. The family claim an elderly neighbour witnessed Krishna being beat-

en up by a gang outside their home on the night he disappeared. However, the 81-year-old woman died before she could be interviewed by police. Speaking to the Evening Standard, Chandra, 51, said: “He was always jovial and happy. I am a psychiatric-trained nurse and if my son was suicidal I would have known. He was full of life. We believe from day one that the police did not take this case seriously. They

just put it down as a suicide and did not investigate.” Medha, 47, said: “My son has been treated unfairly. I want justice for him because I assure you there is no possibility of him committing suicide. The police have not done enough.” The Independent Police Complaints Commission said it had launched an inquiry into the case, and would examine the family’s claim that they were not taken seriously because of their race. Scotland Yard says there were serious difficulties in identifying the student because his body was severely decomposed after being in the water for so long, and because he had been wearing a different shoe size and clothes to the football kit he was wearing when he was missing. He was eventually identified through DNA analysis.

Concern for missing Newhaven woman Police are concerned for the welfare of a missing woman from Newhaven. Fatima Mohamed-Ali went missing from her home in Park Drive Close last Friday (February 12), police have said. The 52-year-old is believed to have left her house on foot sometime between 7.30am and 3.15pm, leaving her handbag and other personal items behind.

Police said she has been described as Indian, 5’ 2”, of slim build with shoulder-length black hair worn in a ponytail. She is also believed to be wearing traditional Indian dress. An initial appeal resulted in a sighting of her being reported in Avis Road around 8am on Friday, but she has not been seen since. The caller reported that she

Fatima Mohamed-Ali

was wearing a beige coat and her family has confirmed that a coat of this description is missing from their home. Inspector Dan Eagle said: “Fatima’s family are understandably very worried about her and we have launched a full search for her in the Newhaven area, supported by volunteers from Sussex Search and Rescue (SusSAR).”

Saima Sadique (left) and Jaspreet Sahota

Two teenage girls have gone missing from Slough. Saima Sadique, 16, from Slough was last seen at 8.30pm last Sunday in Belfast Avenue wearing a waist length black coat with a fluffy hood, white trainers and blue jeans. Saima is described as Asian, 5ft 1in, with light brown shoulder length hair with blonde highlights. She has a pierced tongue and pierced ears. Jaspreet Sahota, 15, from Slough was last seen at 2.30pm in Oatlands Drive wearing a grey dress, cream coloured coat and

black leggings. She is also described as Asian, 5ft 3ins. Saima has links to Bedfordshire, Birmingham and Windsor. Jaspreet is not known to have links outside the Slough area. Investigating officer, sergeant Daniel Simpson from Slough police station said: “We are concerned for both Saima and Jasprett’s welfare and would ask anyone who may have seen them or know of their whereabouts to get in contact with Thames Valley Police on 101 as a matter of urgency.”

BBC pays price for keeping cabbies waiting Taxi waiting time charge could be giving BBC taxing time as the corporation’s staff ran up a bill of over £50,000 by leaving cabs waiting last year. According to a report in The Times, the media giant incurred the waiting charges on 9,925 taxi bookings and consequently, had to pay £23,014 for 1,520 cars cancelled when

they arrived at the pick-up point. The figures, released in response to a freedom of information request, cover cabs booked via BBC’s centralised system but not those claimed back through expenses or associated with the production of its news, TV and radio output, the report said.

C MMENTS

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Asian Voice |27th February 2016

Recognizing India’s manufacturing achievement ‘Made in India’ week which began with the such exuberance was subsumed midway by the sort of raucous controversy and mudslinging that has become the bane of the country’s politics, a draining experience the public could have well done without. Nevertheless, when the dust has settled and the pollutants dispersed, the Indian people will have both the time and inclination to digest the 93 year-old, New York-based, Time magazine’s first-time award to Indian companies for manufacturing excellence. Together with the international management firm McKinsey & Company the award was presented to the winners by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the weekend. Norman Pearlstine, Executive Vice President & Chief Content Officer, Time Inc, said: ‘The PM has shown strong interest in international trade, in attracting foreign investment, and creating world-class Indian companies that can compete globally….We are happy to participate in Made in India week….It is no coincidence that this is the first country in Time’s history where we have instituted such an award. There is no other Time award.’ The winners were selected from a list of 3.000 companies, including 200 multinationals. In the first phase, 150 companies were shortlisted for their manufacturing excellence. Of these, nine finalists were shortlisted and their names announced at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, in January. These included Hindustan Unilever, Shahi Exports Ltd, and Tata Steel for the Best in Class Manufacturing category; Hero MotorCorporation, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Samsung India in the Manufacturing Innovator of the Year category; and Yogesh and Rajesh Agarwal of Ajanta Pharma, Anant Vardhan Goenka of Ceat, and Anil Rai Gupta of Havells for the for the Time India Young Maker of the Year.

‘We looked at companies that make in India better and more effectively than others,’ said Rajat Dhawan, Director McKinsey & Company. ‘These are companies that are not just well operationally, but also doing great on the Make in India platform.’ The global jury included Carlos Ghosn, Chairman & CEO, Renault-Nissan; Chanda Kochhar, CEO & MD, ICICI Bank; John Rice, Vice Chairman, General Electric; Kevin Sneader, Chairman (Asia) McKinsey & Company; NR Narayana Murthy, Founder, Infosys Ltd; and Rana Foroohart, Assistant Managing Editor Time magazine, in addition to Mr Pearlstine. ‘Events such as Make in India Week will announce to the global stage that India is competitive, and that global investors and multinationals should look at India. It is a small contribution in a bigger journey, but it it raises the profile for the Indian manufacturing sector,’ Mr Dhawan said. Mr Pearlstine said long-term trends suggested that India would have robust GDP growth, a larger middle class, and opportunities for innovation. ‘Problems will persist, but these problems were not created in a year, and hey cannot be fixed in a year. Make in India does not change the underlying issues. It is a reflection of partnership between government and business that has not always been.’ He added: ‘Make in India is an aspiration. It says India can play a major role in manufacturing. It says we have companies and individuals who can compete with anybody in the world. This happens at a time when the CEOs of Microsoft and Alphabet are both of Indian origin, and are amongst the most powerful people in the US. They began by competing for education opportunity here [India]. This is but a small sample.’ At the risk of repeating a cliché, a long journey begins with a single step. In the case of India, this surely is a great leap forward.

Gravitational waves a new chapter for humankind It took the transcending intelligence of Albert Einstein to predict gravitational waves a century ago, the climax to a hundred years of doubt, speculation and experiment was finally laid to rest earlier this month with the announcement that a set of instruments so sensitive (it was 25 years in the making) that that they were able to intensify a distortion in space-time a thousandth the diameter of one nuclear atomic nucleas across a 4 kilometre strip of laser-beam and mirror. The phenomenon detected was the collision of two black holes; and the world’s most sophisticated detector enabled scientists to listen for 20 thousandth of a second as two giant black holes, one 35 times the mass of the sun, the other slightly

smaller, as they circled around each other many times before the collision and a dark, violent merger – the symphony of the universe, as it were. The discovery made by the Laser Interference Gravitational Observatory (LIGO) in the US marks the beginning of a new window of gravitational astronomy that has just opened up,’ said David Reitze, the Executive Director of the LIGO laboratory. It has been a long and eventful journey starting with the Italian Galileo, via the Britons Michael Faraday sand James Clerk Maxwell that led to the discovery of radio waves, which were harnessed radio communication, thence to the present achievement.

Indian contribution India’s pioneering astronomer, J.V. Narlekar, was the spirit behind the establishment of the Pune-based InterUniversity Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA).Congratulating the Indian scientists who formed part of the international team, Professor Narlekar described the event as a ‘remarkable discovery.’ Ajit Kembarvi, a former of IUCAA) said the team of Indian scientists called INDIGO, who were part of the project had made a significant contribution to in developing methods for analyzing data from the two detectors that recorded the gravitational waves. He said IUCAA would be setting up a high performance computer in its premises for further analysis of the data. A consortium of Indian research institutes has been pressing the authorities in Delhi to create a gravitational detection facility in India. Known as the LIGO-India project, it is piloted by the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Space and Technology. Their wait ended when a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime

Minister Narendra Modi approved the project. It will be coordinated by IUCAA, the Department of Atomic Energy, the Institute of Plasma Research and the Raja Ramana Centre for Advanced Technology. The latter has special expertise in lasers, while the Plasma Research Centre, which specializes in high vacuum and cryogenic systems will be responsible for the execution of the project. ‘LIGO India will also bring considerable opportunities in cutting edge technology for Indian industrial firms which engaged in the construction of an eight-kilometre-long beam-tube ultra-high vacuum on levelled terrain,’ stated the coordinating body. Another mega science project cleared by the government is the Indian Neutrino Observatory, which will detect ephemeral particles called neutrons, to be set up in Tamil Nadu. Science, technology, industry, agriculture: these are the mantras designed to unlock India’s future. Politics of the sort we witness daily has the potential to be its funeral pyre.

Indian contender for global teacher prize An Indian teacher in Mumbai for girls in the city’s red light districts has been named in the top ten shortlist for a global prize for teachers. Robin Chaurrasiya, founder of ‘Kranti’, will compete with teachers from the UK, US, Kenya, Palestine, Japan, Finland and Australia et al for the one million dollar Global Teachers Prize 2016. Professor Stephen Hawking told of his debt to his teacher as a young boy at school to a wonderful teacher. ‘He opened up new worlds to me.. That is what a great teacher can do.’ Referring to the founder of the prize, Kerala-born entrepreneur, Sunny Varkey, Professor Hawking said:’ Thanks to Sunny Varkey, and the Varkey Foundation. We need great teachers to grow great minds, or we will never solve the world’s most pressing problems..’ Ms Chaurasiya calls her pupils krantikaries [revolu-

tionaries]. Aged between 12 and 20, they include victims of trafficking and daughters of sex workers. They go on to become peer teachers and community leaders. Mr Varkey said: ‘ I want to congratulate Robin Chaurasiya for being selected among the top ten finalists from such a huge number of talented and dedicated teachers. I hope her story will inspire those looking to enter the teaching profession and also shine a powerful spot light on the incredible work teachers do all over India and throughout the world every day,’ The top ten contenders were drawn up from a field of 8,000 nominations and application from 148 countries. The prize, established last year, will be announced at a ceremony in Dubai on March 13. Blessed are they who serve the poor.

A new broom sweeps clean, but an old one knows all the corners - Jamaican proverb

A National Commission for Widows In India The Loomba Foundation was honoured that the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi launched our project to empower 5,000 impoverished widows in Varanasi on 22nd January, 2016. Each widow will receive a vocational skills training in tailoring for two months. On completion of the training, they will be given a foot-operated sewing machine. During the event, Lord Raj Loomba called upon the Prime Minister, appealing to him to establish a National Commission for Widows in India. There are over 46 million widows and 100 million their children, who suffer in silence. Many of them are abused physically, psychologically and sexually. Indian government has a responsibility to protect and provide for all Indian citizens, and widows are often excluded from social security and assistance at present. National and international agreements are clear that widows ought to be a protected group. The protection of widows is become increasingly a priority for international bodies. The UN Secretary General HE Ban-Ki Moon has declared, “It is our collective responsibility to safeguard the human rights and dignity of widows, in line with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.” The UN National Consultation Report Post-2015 Development Framework for India identified widows as a particularly at risk group, and included the economic empowerment of women, including widows, and improving health services for marginalised women among its post-2015 development goals. The international focus on widows is increasing and a National Commission for Widows would demonstrate that the Government of India is committed to ending discrimination and lessening the struggle faced by the more than 40 million widows in India. Widows becoming

Lord Raj Loomba

economically active members of society would bring great benefits to the Indian economy, and allow their children to be educated, benefitting the next generation. Assisting widows through a commission such as this would be far more efficient than current piecemeal attempts, by bodies which lack experience and adequate research. At present, even census data does not distinguish between widows and divorced or separated women. Compulsory representation of women in local panchayats has improved the status of women, demonstrating the effect that a high-profile commission for widows could have. The empowerment of widows could have a very positive effect on the national economy, with increasing economic activity, and therefore less reliance on state assistance in the longterm. This will also include the empowerment of widows’ children, through education, allowing them to be economically active too.

Conclusion

A National Commission for Widows is the most effective and efficient way to improve the situation of widows across India. The Government has a responsibility to offer economic, legal and educational assistance to widows, and to ensure that it acts to counter and discourage discrimination. A National Commission for Widows would be able to cater for all of the needs of widows, and assist the government in the creation of policy and providing accurate research.

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Asian Voice |27th February 2016

Event in Edinburgh marks success of Make in India week An event marking ‘Make-InIndia’ week, was organized by Scottish Development International (SDI), in collaboration with the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Edinburgh, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and UK-India British Council (UKIBC) in Sheraton Grand Hotel, Edinburgh, on 17 February, 2016. The first session of the event included a welcome address by Ms. Suzanne Sosna, Head of Trade & Investment Services-SDI, introductory speech by Mr. Oscar Kerketta, Consul General of India in Edinburgh and special address by Dr. Virander Paul, Deputy High Commissioner of India in UK. The speeches were followed by presentations by Mr. Stephen Toogood, Director Regions-

Dr Virander Paul, Deputy High Commissioner addressing audience at the event to mark Make in India week in Edinburgh

UKIBC & Ms. Suchita Sonalika, Director CII-UK on ‘Make-In-India’, followed by a presentation on ‘Taxation in India’ by Mr. Vizay Vasanta, First Secretary (Income Tax Overseas Unit), High Commission of India,

London. During the second session in the afternoon, sector specific presentations were made by Mr. Karthik Subramanya, Senior Advisor – Boston Consulting Group & Managing Director-

Carnatic Capital Limited, Mr. Gopalan Rajagopalan, Head-Tata Consultancy Services, Scotland, Mr. Rajiv Bhatia, Executive Director – Middle East Gulf & Indian SubcontinentWilliam Grants and Sons, and Mr. Uzair Syed, India LeadHigh Growth Markets, SDI; covering energy, IT, food & drink and high growth markets sectors. Attendees numbering around 40, included representatives from various Scottish companies, investors and businessmen. A dinner was also hosted by the Managing Director of SDI in George Hotel, Edinburgh, in the honour of Dr. Virander Paul, Deputy High Commissioner of India in UK, on evening preceding the event on 16 February, 2016.

Funding boost for former postmistress jailed after false accounting accusation Rubbina Shaheen, who kept Greenfields Post Office in Shrewsbury, is one of dozens of sub-postmasters across the country who claim to have been wrongly accused of false accounting or theft because of glitches with the Post Office’s controversial Horizon computer system. They have now been told that they have secured the funding they needed to lodge a civil claim against the Post Office. Mrs Shaheen, who was jailed for 12 months at Shrewsbury Crown Court in December 2010, is also seeking to get her conviction overturned. She is part of a group civil action being brought by Justice For The Sub-postmasters Alliance (JFSA), which represents post office managers who claim they have been falsely accused of dishonesty because of faults with the Horizon system. Mrs Shaheen, now 50, was

initially charged with the theft of more than £43,269 following discrepancies in the branch’s finances. The Post Office agreed to drop the theft charge as part of a plea bargain which saw her plead guilty to the lesser charge of false accounting. JFSA's chairman Alan Bates confirmed it had secured funding for the action. "We are now able to move forward in civil court with the exposure of the failings of the Post Office and its Horizon system,” he said. Mrs Shaheen’s husband Mohamed said it was an important step, adding that funding had been the main obstacle to seeking redress in the courts. “We are very pleased, it’s very important, funding is the crucial issue. We got a letter from our solicitor saying that funding was in place and they would be in contact shortly, so we’re just

The Post Office called in forensic accountants Second Sight to carry out an investigation into reports of a glitch with the Horizon system, which logs all transactions carried out at each branch. Second Sight managing director Ron Warmington said faults with Horizon could have led to the discrepancies which resulted in Mrs Shaheen being jailed. Mohamed and Rubbina Shaheen Post Office communications officer Melanie waiting to hear now when the Corfield said she was not case will go ahead.,” he said. aware of any claim that had Mrs Shaheen is one of been lodged against the comeight post office managers pany as yet. She restated the who were jailed over financial Post Office’s confidence in the discrepancies which they Horizon system, “The Post blame on the company’s comOffice’s computer system is puter system. About 100 subused successfully by 78,000 postmasters and mistresses people to process six million across the country are seeking transactions every working to have convictions or court day in communities throughrulings overturned in relation out the UK,” she said. to the Horizon system.

Thousands raised by community after death of popular imam in Rochdale Mourners have raised thousands of pounds for the funeral of a former Imam killed in Rochdale. It comes as the scene of the incident re-opened to the public for the first time since the tragedy last Thursday night. Jalal Uddin, 64, died after being found with serious injuries in a children’s playground in Wardleworth. Religious leaders called for calm in the community after the attack, which police say they have not yet determined if it was racially-motivated. A crowd-funding page has been set-up by Mirza Sadiqul Zamal, a travel consultant and a close friend of Mr Uddin. It says: “Qari Jalal Uddin was my teacher and later one of my closest friends. He has

costs, consolidating any debts he may have and in supporting his family.” It had a target of £3,000 but at the time of writing had already generated nearly three times that with a total of Imam Jalal Uddin was found injured in a £8,564. playground in Wardleworth P o l i c e launched a murder taught me many, many probe saying Mr Uddin had things but more importantly suffered “significant injuries” he shown me his teaching after being assaulted with his behaviour and charbetween 8:40pm and acter on a daily basis. He was 8:55pm as he walked from a the only financial provider friend’s house on South for his family who live in Street. He had earlier been to Bangladesh. He was a great evening prayers at the Bilal teacher, Imam. Not a single Jamia Masjid Mosque in soul can utter a bad word Bulwer Street. about him. The money raised Police in Rochdale conwill go towards his funeral

firmed the cordon was lifted at the Wardleworth Play Zone on Sunday, re-opening it to the public. Senior GMP officers say it is still too early to establish if it was a ‘hate incident’ but extra officers were put on patrol in the area to provide reassurance. Organisations including the Rochdale Council of Mosques asked for residents to remain calm after the death of the popular Bangladeshi man, with tributes to him pouring in from shocked friends and neighbours. A 31-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of murder last Friday, has now been released without charge, with police saying he has been “completely eliminated” from their enquiries.

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Worcestershire doctor defends NHS 111

A Worcestershire doctor has defended the NHS 111 service following criticism it is not "safe and effective". The country's most senior paediatrician Professor Neena Modi said there was a question mark over whether 111 call han- Professor dlers - who are not medically Neena Modi trained - should be carrying out assessments. In an interview, Professor Modi said 111 had been brought in at huge cost without any proper evaluation of whether it was a safe service. The professor said: "It is uncertain because studies have not been adequately conducted - whether or not the telephone triage service such as NHS 111 is really going to be safe and effective for very small children. When you add in the lack of clinical expertise, it's going to be even more difficult. I feel really sorry for the call handlers because they are being placed in a position that really it's questionable that they should be placed in."

Man charged with conspiracy to commit robbery in Akhtar Javeed murder probe

A man has been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery as part of investigation into murder of Digbeth drinks firm boss Akhtar Javeed. Sander Van Aalten, 50, was arrested on Sunday night as part of the investigation into the grandfather’s Murder victim: death and was charged last Akhtar Javed Wednesday. He was due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court last Thursday. Two other men have already been charged with Mr Javeed’s murder. Suraj Mistry, 26, and Lemar Wali, 18, will stand trial on June 20 and are both also charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of a handgun.

Counterfeit traders caught with £1m of fake goods

Cheetham Hill counterfeit traders were caught with £1m worth of fake goods after Louis Nazari, Muhammad Ali, Vuitton and Mohammadawa Riasat Ali and Eraj Nezamuddin other top designers employed a private eye to investigate traders. Plain clothes officers posed as customers to infiltrate four separate shops in the area - which last month was named the counterfeit capital of Britain. One was sold a fake red Mulberry handbag for £18. The genuine bag would cost £795. In a second swoop, an undercover investigator was sold a knock-off Louis Vuitton travel bag for £23. The real bags cost more than £1,000 each. A raid with police last December at premises on Bury New Road and Harris Street netted enough fake goods and clothing to fill a 40ft-long shipping crate - worth £1m. Four ‘principal’ arrests were made as a result - all men working in shops selling dodgy clothes, jewellery, electrical items and accessories. All four men pleaded guilty at Manchester magistrates court to charges of selling or possessing counterfeit goods. Riasat Ali, 42, sold four Louis Vuitton compact mirrors and SuperDry jackets and T-Shirts to a test purchaser for £45 at a store on Great Ducie Street in Cheetham. All were fake and other items were sold in subsequent operations. He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, with 200 hours of unpaid work. Muhammad Ali, 38, was caught at a store on Great Ducie Street selling a fake Louis Vuitton bag for £15 - they retail for £685. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work. Mohammadawa Nazari, 40 sold fake Louis Vuitton handbags and earrings, Chanel earrings, a Mulberry clutch and a Jimmy Choo handbag from a store on Harris Street.Eraj Nezamuddin, 28, was caught selling fake Mulberry and Louis Vuitton bags. Both Nezamuddin and Nazari will be sentenced next month. Prosector Sarah Wood said the men were ‘effectively acting as wholesalers’ but told the court they were employed to work by others. Four more suspected sellers have now been issued with court summonses and investigations continue.

UK Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

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Shrien Dewani spotted on London Underground Staring ahead vacantly as he tries to blend into the commuter crowd, this is an 'exhausted'-looking Shrien Dewani on a rare public outing after being cleared of murdering his wife on their honeymoon. The millionaire businessman, dressed in a tracksuit and trainers, was spotted on the London Underground as he made his way home on Friday afternoon. It is one of only a handful of occasions that the 36-year-old has been seen publicly since returning to Britain following the collapse of his trial. Staring ahead vacantly as he tries to blend into the commuter crowd, this is an 'exhausted'-looking Shrien Dewani on a rare

Dewani, who they described as looking 'exhausted', had been working out and was carrying a gym bag. They said he avoided eye-contact and shifted nervously in his seat on the train. Since Mr Dewani’s return to England in August last year he has kept a low profile, rarely straying far from the family home near Bristol. Shrien Dewani on a rare public The care home outing owner was dramatipublic outing after being cally cleared in December cleared of murdering his 2014 of orchestrating his wife on their honeymoon wife Anni's murder while Onlookers said it they were on their honeyappeared as though Mr moon in Cape Town.

Girls as young as 6 forced to marry An investigation carried out by the Sunday Times has found that professionals at every level are failing to protect hundreds of children who are removed from classrooms each year and forced into illegal marriage. According to the investigation for a decade, campaigners have fought to raise awareness of the practice, which has been illegal in England and Wales since June 2014. But the scandal of Britain’s “child brides” remains for the most part shrouded in secrecy. The investigation also

uncovered shocking cases including: l A girl aged six with learning difficulties who was married to an older man in Pakistan before returning to school l Girls as young as 14 becoming pregnant as a result of forced marriage l A nine-year-old from London who has been made the subject of a court order to protect her from marriage in Afghanistan to a cousin twice her age l Girls aged 14-17 married to older men in mosques or living rooms in Birmingham, Manchester, Luton, Nottingham and

Leicester l A girl of 11 who was forced to marry a 20-yearold man in Bangladesh and was left there with him before a court order brought her back to the UK. Although most cases involve girls, the number of boys forced to marry is rising. In nearly a quarter of cases both parties are from the UK. The number of calls to ChildLine about the problem rose by 30% last year. More than half of the callers were 15 or under, with some as young as nine.

Cameras installed in prayer rooms at Jihadi John’s university A British university once attended by Islamic State (IS) terrorist ‘Jihadi John’ has installed CCTV cameras in its prayer rooms, sparking protests by students who say the move has fuelled fear that they are being “monitored”. The University of Westminster has tightened security since Jihadi John whose real name was Mohammed Emwazi - was last year revealed as a former student. An internal report has said the varsity’s Islamic society had become a “breeding ground for very ultraconservative views”. The university’s student union has complained about the cameras and claims that key cards used to enter the rooms are being monitored.

“The lack of understanding leads to a lack of trust, some anger and frankly a degree of fear,” said Jim Hirschmann, the union’s president. Salsabil Sila, one of the union’s Muslim officers, said some students now prayed off campus. “It has limited us from being able to perform our prayers in an environment where we can feel completely at ease. What would normally be a safe space where we could take off our scarves has now been taken away from us,” she said. Father Stephen Wang, chaplain at the University of London, said: “It is certainly not the norm to have CCTV cameras in prayer rooms and chapels. I would want to know what the reasons were and whether it

had been agreed with the chaplains, the interfaith team and the students concerned.” The University of Westminster said: “It was not the university’s intention to cause alarm or offence. As these rooms are quiet, reflective and often solitary spaces, it is important to make sure people feel secure and not vulnerable ... The university has a clear and transparent CCTV policy.”

Duchess of Cambridge visits Brent school to launch the first Children’s Mental Health Week Primary school pupils in Queens Park got quite a royal surprise to see a Duchess in their classrooms. Duchess of The Cambridge stole into Salusbury Primary School, in Salusbury Road, to shoot a video in support of the first Children’s Mental Health Week. The Duchess is patron of Place2be, a mental health charity providing emotional support to children in schools. The mother-of-two asked the pupils if they had

friends they could talk to and whether they enjoyed activities such as art. She said: “Every child

deserves to grow up knowing their potential and feeling confident they won’t fall over at the first hurdle.

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EU REFERENDUM

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Asian Voice |27th February 2016

Continued from page 1

Who in Britain wants to leave, and who wants to remain? According to the Daily Telegraph, while the predictable right-left divide on the European Union remains, differences across geography and class make for a complex referendum campaign. Those living in Scotland, with a university education or aged below 30 are most likely to want to stay in the EU, according to new polling data released by YouGov. While there seems to be no gender gap at all, the choices depend on population, geography, age, political leanings and education. According to YouGov "one of the biggest challenges facing the pro-EU camp will be to enthuse the under 30s, who are mostly pro-membership but traditionally least likely to vote at all, while the ‘leave’ camp needs to maximise turnout among Brexitinclined working-class voters". Scotland is the most proEU region in the UK l The YouGov survey shows that Scotland is most in favour of staying in the EU, with 60% of respondents wishing to remain. l The least positive region about EU membership is East Anglia where 53% want to leave. l London was the second most enthusiastic region for EU membership with a 55-45% split. While the Scottish population in total is no more than 9 million, the population in London alone is over 8 million. In total at the moment six UK regions back continued EU membership compared to five where a majority of voters support the leave campaign. Greens love the EU while Ukip hates it The poll also examined all the major parties and voters' voting intentions. l Conservative and Labour voters were the most divided on the issue with Tories erring towards leaving the EU and the majority of Labour voters wishing to remain. l Unsurprisingly, among Ukip voters, the EU is incredibly unpopular, with 72 per cent wishing to leave. l Green party voters were most in favour of continued EU membership. It is believed MPs are now equally divided between in, out and not decided about this campaign. Each MP only holds one vote, whereas the real power lies in the hands of

Kapil’s

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KHICHADI

by Kapil Dudakia - email: kapil@abplgroup.com

OUT the British people, who have the liberty to choose their future. Education v/s working class The poll has found that the University educated people are most likely to want to stay in the EU, with 62% of graduates wishing to remain in Europe. The educated diaspora, now that majority supports the Conservatives, the votes are also believed to be wavering between 'stay' or 'leave' campaign for obvious reasons. Reactions from Asians V Wagh, Professional: “Controlled immigration and Cap on benefits for EU immigrants should be first and foremost. Keeping our country to the disposal of EU union with create more stress on the economy. As it is we are stretched beyond capacity.” A Tripathi, Professional: “Brexit will definitely have some adverse effects for example: 1) Between 3-4 million UK jobs are linked to our membership to EU. 2) Nearly half of all UK exports is to EU. 3) Govt has put measures to cut benefits to EU immigrants. They have made them conditional. UK's annual contribution to EU is £340 per household while we get £3000 per household back which is 10 times. 4) Being in EU means cheaper prices in shops, flights, lower phone charges when traveling in Europe. 5) EUs investment in UK is an avg of £66 million per day which will be lost. 6) Last but not the least David Cameron has been speaking of increased risk of terrorism as intelligence sharing will stop. “On the other hand, moving out of EU will mean greater control of our borders, freedom to trade with emerging economies of the world and we will no longer have to abide by 64% of the laws made in Brussels. In my opinion, advantages of staying in EU far outweigh the disadvantages and Brits must

BREXIT – People's Verdict? make an informed decision.” J Vyas, Professional: “EU citizens do seek Health and Social care (Adults and Children - family) benefits, they are highly demanding community, many of the them don't speak English, though they don't have to appear for any English Language tests and they ask for interpreters services whilst using such services that attracts tax payers money. They seek maximum benefits with very minimum or less contribution to the Tax system of the Country. The NHS services used by the EU citizens living in the UK is the prime example of unfair utilisation of public funds. “Immigration is another one, there are clear discriminatory provisions for non-EUs. For EU immigrants they are entitled for majority of benefits and no questions asked, this is without any NI or tax contribution. Whereas, nonEUs who work hard and pay tax and NI regularly have to go through many hardships and difficult (discriminatory) process outlined by the Home Office. “Business from and within EU countries are probably easy as compared to the business from the non-EU countries, again the immigration law for business is complicated, complex, time and more money consuming. “Whilst we all know that people who are immigrants from non-EU country i.e. from India, Pakistan etc. are very hard workers and paying NI and taxes to the Government, and they have very little access to the benefits. Until they became British Citizens, they are under immigration control and constantly working extra hard to meet the need. However, this simply doesn't apply to EU citizens who come to live in the UK, they have full access to the system of housing, benefits, health and social care etc.” M Raj, Professional: “Whether it be social or employ-

On Saturday the Prime Minister announced the date for the EU Referendum to be 23rd June 2016. This followed what can only be called one of the most demanding and exhaustive EU wide diplomatic campaign by any British PM ever. PM Cameron has proved to be a man of his word. He promised a referendum and that is exactly what we got. He promised a series of measures the EU would have to agree to before he would put his name to the ‘in’ campaign – and by any measure you have to conclude he has become the most successful British Prime Minster ever in negotiating such a dramatic deal with the EU. So based on this one might well conclude that the ‘in’ campaign will sail through the referendum and win on the 23rd. However this omits to take into account the elephant in the room. Frankly speaking in my view it’s now become herd of elephants. So what am I talking about? The referendum will be won on the streets of Great Britain. It will be won by what the people think and believe in, it will have little relevance to what the politicians are saying. In fact I would doubt if even the business community can say anything that would make any sizeable impact. Under any other circumstance the Prime Minister would have won this vote easily. However the biggest elephant in the room is the Middle Eastern and North African refugee crisis. People have seen for themselves what has happened in countries like Greece, Italy, France, Germany and even Sweden. Many of these countries were championing an EU wide open arms welcome to all the refugees. Some countries like Germany even stated that they would absorb a million refugees. This oneupmanship of EU leaders trying to outdo each another by showing how wonderful they were has now resulted in total chaos across Europe. The very people that came out in the streets of Germany to welcome the refugees are now abandoning Chancellor Merkel by the thousands on a daily basis. And this story is repeated time and again all across Europe. Contrast this with Great Britain that basically pulled up the draw bridge and opted to filter compassion with pragmatism. This limited the numbers coming to Britain, and those who have been allowed to enter are the most needy and directly from the refugee camps in Syria and Iraq. The Prime Minister has negotiated as good a deal as was possible with the ment laws, trade or farm policies, influence of London City over financial and non-eu market, UK has ensured its interest are protected. More so in the recent deal negotiated by David Cameron, I wonder what would make people ever satisfied moving away from the EU.” The pros and cons of leaving the EU

EU. However I don’t believe this will register with the voters in the way it probably should. The mentality of mass hysteria will hit our streets and as the weeks go by and the weather gets better, we will witness another massive influx of refugees into Europe. The voters will put this right at the top of their agenda. This referendum has been high jacked by the refugee tsunami hitting the EU and increasingly one can see that it has the momentum to drown out all other arguments in this debate. The most important decision by this country in over five decades will probably be based on people’s fears rather than rational thinking. It will be a miracle for the Prime Minister to win this vote even though he has personally delivered on his promise. If the vote is lost no doubt politicians from all sides will gun for him to go. It would be profoundly silly for the Tory party to fall into this trap. They know that the PM will step aside at the end of this Parliamentary term. If they want to win, and win big again they have to show discipline, loyalty and patience. In the end history will show the Prime Minister in much better light for not only did he deliver on the EU referendum pledge, but at the same time he has forged very strong links with the emerging giant economies of the east. In particular his focus on UK/India relations will prove to be the saviour for the country. So where do I stand? I stand with the Prime Minster but, and this is important – I will still vote for BREXIT. In this regard I am with my friend Priti Patel. The bottom line, I cannot trust the EU to keep to their word and I suspect when the refugee crisis gets out of control, the UK will end up with little control over its borders. People on both sides of the equation are good and compassionate, so don’t let the megaphone politicians or the loony left media try and tell you otherwise. The people of Great Britain have shown their compassion time and again. We are one of the highest donors of aid anywhere in the world. That is aid by the Government, but also aid generated by people putting their hand in their own pockets. I suspect people will decide with a heavy heart to leave the EU. Border control will be the deciding issue and on that their compassion will focus on maintaining the very fabric of British society first. I commend the Prime Minister for trying so valiantly but I suspect in the end it might be just a touch short of the winning line.

According to The Week, the greatest uncertainty associated with leaving the EU is that no country has ever done it before, so no one can predict the exact result. Nevertheless, many have tried. l Trade: One of the biggest advantages of the EU is free trade between member nations, making it easier and cheaper for

British companies to export their goods to Europe. Some business leaders think the boost to income outweighs the billions of pounds in membership fees Britain would save if it left the EU. The UK also risks losing some of its negotiation power internationally by leaving the trading bloc, but it would be free to establish

IN SPLIT OVER BREXIT EU REFERENDUM

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WHAT BUSINESSES HAVE TO SAY

200 businesses have signed a letter, representing every sector and region of the UK, supporting the ‘Stay within EU’ campaign. Signing among them Saghir Munir, Baroness were Partner/Director, Baker & Shriti Vadera Coleman Solicitors, Rooney Anand, Chief Executive, Greene King, Mahmood Faiz, Director, James William Estate Agents, Geeta Sidhu-Robb, CEO and Founder,

trade agreements with non-EU countries. UKIP leader Nigel Farage believes Britain could follow the lead of Norway, which has access to the single market but is not bound by EU laws on areas such as agriculture, justice and home affairs. But others argue that an "amicable divorce" would not be possible. The Economist has reported that Britain would still be subject to the politics and economics of Europe, but would no longer have a seat at the table to try to influence matters. Open Europe, a study by the think-tank, which wants to see the EU radically reformed, found that the worst-case "Brexit" scenario is that the UK economy loses 2.2% of its total GDP by 2030. However, it says that GDP could rise by 1.6% if the UK could negotiate a free trade deal with Europe and pursued "very ambitious deregulation". l Investment: The Week has reported that the general view is that inward investment could slow in the lead up to the vote due to the uncertainty of the outcome and its consequences, following the precedent set ahead of the Scottish independence referendum in 2014. Longer term, there are diverging views: pro-Europeans reckon the UK's status as one of the world's biggest financial centres will come under threat if it is no longer a seen as a gateway to the EU for the likes of US banks, while Brexit campaigners argue London's unique appeal will not be diminished. Barclays has put forward a different view, which will be seen as positive by those advocating a vote to leave. It reckons the departure of one of the union's most powerful economies would hit its finances and also boost populist anti-EU movements in other countries, the Daily Telegraph says. This would open a "Pandora's box" that could lead to the "collapse of the European project". In this event, the UK

could be seen as a safe haven from those risks, attracting investors, boosting the pound and reducing the risk that Scotland would "leave the relative safety of the UK for an increasingly uncertain EU". l Jobs & Immigration: Free movement of people across the EU opens up job opportunities for UK workers willing to travel and makes it relatively easy for UK companies to employ workers from other EU countries. Ukip says this prevents the UK "managing its own borders". But, writing for the LSE, Professor Adrian Favell says limiting this freedom would deter the "brightest and the best" of the continent from coming to Britain. The UK already maintains its own border controls. It is not part of the internal border-free Schengen Area, and Border Force officers conduct checks on EU/EEA travellers crossing UK ports of entry, as well as British citizens and non-EU/EEA nationals. It has not opted in to EU measures facilitating legal migration of thirdcountry migrants. But the UK recognises that there are benefits to practical cooperation and information-sharing with other Member States, for example to strengthen responses to organised immigration crime and current and future migratory pressures. lRegulations: Eurosceptics argue that the vast majority of small and medium sized firms do not trade with the EU but are restricted by a huge regulatory burden imposed from abroad. However, others warn that millions of jobs could be lost if global manufacturers, such as car makers, move to lower-cost EU countries, while British farmers would lose billions in EU subsidies. l Universities: More than 100 university leaders have signed a letter published in the Sunday Times, backing the campaign for Britain to stay in Europe. They are supported by Jo Johnson, the Universities Minister, and the brother of London

Mayor Boris Johnson. The Vice Chancellors of the universities, including Oxford and Cambridge have said: a British exit from the EU will be catastrophic for universities and scientific research. They warned Brexit would cost tens of millions of pounds in funding, result in British job losses and leave universities struggling to compete on the world stage. Defence: l Defence Secretary MichaelFallon, told Radio 4 that the UK benefitted from being part of international partnerships, such as the European Union, Nato and the United Nations. He rejected claims by former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith, one of six Cabinet ministers campaigning for the UK to leave the EU, that the UK's membership actually exposed it to greater security risks, pointing out that the EU had taken the lead in confronting Russia over its annexation of Crimea and Iran over its nuclear programme. Research briefings in the Parliament suggests that acting through the EU means a larger aid budget, the promise of access to the largest consumer market in the world and a louder political voice. All of these can be significant ‘soft power’ tools in the pursuit of European interests. If the UK no longer coordinated its policy with Member States, it would lose access to these shared tools. However, many UK actions are taken in conjunction with the US rather than the EU. In terms of military power and projection, a UK withdrawal would more likely place the EU at a disadvantage, with fewer assets and capabilities at its disposal, particularly certain strategic assets such as tactical airlift and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets. Britain may lose some of its military influence – many believe that the US would consider Britain to be a less useful ally if it was detached from Europe.

Nosh Detox, Raman Sehgal, Director, Ramarketing & PR, Baroness Shriti Vadera, Chair, Santander UK, Rakesh Sharma, Chief Executive, Ultra Electronics, Kasmin Ali, Director, Waterloo Tea. If you are a business owner in Britain, we would like to know what is your opinion on the upcoming EU Referendum and how do you think it will affect you? Let us know what you feel at aveditorial@abplgroup.com within 100 words by Monday 29 Feb 2016, 3pm.

COMMENTS FROM MPS AND PEERS

I support British membership of a reformed European Union and feel that it is important that the country remains in the EU for both economic and security reasons. The UK receives an average of £26.5 billion of investment every year from other EU member states and over 200,000 British companies export to the EU, which is the largest single market in the world. Additionally, in order to tackle the security issues of international terrorism and cross-border crime, I consider cooperation, membership of relevant watch lists and joint action with our European neighbours to be the best strategy. Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP Chairman of Home Affairs Select Committee

Half a million jobs in London directly depend on Europe. As a city we export more than £12 billion a year to Europe. London acts as a bridge between Asia and Europe. That’s why the prospect of Britain leaving Europe is so catastrophic for businesses and for all Londoners, and why I will be showing leadership and campaigning for Britain to remain in the EU. I am running to be Mayor of London because our city is at a crossroads and we need clear leadership to face down the challenges of the future. Sadiq Khan MP Labour’s candidate for Mayor of London

The European Union is not perfect but, on balance, I believe Britain is stronger, safer and better off in the EU than outside. The UK is a magnet for inward investment and one of the key reasons foreign companies, including Indian and Chinese ones, give for investing in the UK is that it is a bridgehead into the EU single market. Without that access, these investors would think twice about further investment into the UK. Almost all the British Asians and British Asian-run businesses I have spoken to share the view Britain is at its best when we our engaging on the world stage and through the EU. Alok Sharma MP, Reading West Prime Minister's Infrastructure Envoy to India

I am strongly in favour of remaining in the European Union. Labour’s goal of shared prosperity for British people is best served by remaining in the EU. Leaving would massively increase uncertainty for British business. That would lead to reduced investment and cuts in jobs and living standards. It is inevitable that trading would be more difficult for British businesses and costs would be higher. For Asian businesses across the country, leaving Europe could have a greater negative impact on imports and exports – and that cost be passed on to local families. We should celebrate the fact that we are a leading member of a union with 28 member states – an incredible achievement, when we see so much division and war. Twice in the last century the continent was at war. Working together is what has helped keep peace in Europe for over 70 years. Seema Malhotra MP for Feltham & Heston Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury

I have always and will continue to support that UK should remain in EU, same as I support that Scotland should remain as a part of the United Kingdom. I feel the European countries are small and they stand to gain much more together in terms of trade and security. David Cameron and other EU leaders have tried hard to compromise to reform immigration and the related issues. Unfortunately, not enough has been achieved. But, if we pull out of the Union, we will lose the opportunity for a free trade with the European countries. Lord Loomba CBE

Continued on page 8

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Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

EU Referendum – A Catch 22! As I See It

In the next six score (120) days not only will we be deciding whether the UK remains part of EU but also the long term future of Britain. It takes two to tango and let's not forget that the UK was almost begging to join the common market in the late sixties and early seventies. Why? What was so attractive about it then? In the present debate we do not hear much about how the modern EU has evolved from a modest Steel and Coal Authority in the midfifties. From 1870 (FrancoPussian War) to 1945 (the end of Second World War) the European mainland lost millions of citizens and suffered enormous destruction to the extent that the UK, France and other allies as well as Germany and Italy (Axis countries) were completely ruined. The US Marshall programme and its billions of dollars of aid gave us, the citizens of Europe, a breathing space to rebuild and today's prosperity is too precious to be squandered by internecine warfare or for some small or limited objectives. The idea of the EU itself was conceived soon after, when Jean Monnet and other European thinkers proposed a strategy to ensure that the wars between European nations didn't happen again. The important minerals of iron ore, coal and limestone under the lands of Alsace-Lorraine between Germany and Belgium were one of the main causes of friction going back over 100 years. Professor Monnet and others proposed to form a Steel and Coal Authority where all neighbouring countries could jointly exploit the natural resources. To begin with France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg joined this Authority which rapidly developed through free trade into the European Common Market. The UK originally was approached but it declined in the fifties. But, once the common market was making substantial gains in economical terms, the British Governments of the time (both Conservative and Labour) sent out feelers to be invited to join the common market. President Charles de Gaulle of France bluntly said 'Non' in spite of some positive signals from Germany, Holland and Belgium. Eventually after numerous discussions and mainly pleas from the UK

CB Patel

COMMENTS FROM MPS AND PEERS

In the global economy, Britain will be stronger, influential and better off in Europe. I have held this view ever since we joined the European Economic Community. We have continued to play a vital role in the European Union.We are a trading nation and only today a third of Britain's largest Companies have called on the Country to remain in Europe. There is a clear risk to Britain's economy of leaving Europe. It would put jobs,investment, financial security and security of our country at risk. The Asian community has an important role to play. We came to this country as economic migrants and help build a stronger economy for ourselves and our country. The issue is beyond party politics. Let us not get swayed by the internecine warfare in political structures. Let us make sure that generations to follow will continue to play a pivotal role by remaining in Europe. Rt Hon Lord Dholakia PC.OBE.DL. Deputy Leader, Liberal Democrats

which were supported by the Americans, Britain was invited to join the common market in 1973 with Denmark and Ireland. Indeed, the common market has evolved into more than a trading bloc. This was not a hidden agenda, and whether Britain liked it or not the founding fathers of the common market and European Union were aiming to form a kind of a United States of Europe. Such a project was and is not feasible to a very large extent. That is true. But with certain checks and balances some sort of common approach on international relations (both diplomatic and defence) as well as cooperation with major trading blocs in Asia, USA or other continents is possible, and a strong united voice with common objectives is certainly a need of the time. Over the next few

weeks I would like to describe what happened in India during the process of “Integration of States” between 1946 and 1947. If the Indian Independence Act, 1947, of the British Parliament had been allowed to develop in the format it was originally proposed, then India would not have been a united country. It would be far more porous and more reminiscent of the medieval times when hundreds of princely states were continually fighting amongst themselves. Almost identical things happened in Europe between the 13th and 17th centuries. But the Indian Union is not an artificial construst. It was a reality 2,500 years ago during the reign of Chandragupta and his guru Chanakya. In the forthcoming weeks, As I See It will also try to elaborate on the key issues to do with our membership of the EU

from the eyes of someone who opted to be British 55 years ago when he was an Indian citizen in Tanganyika with an option to apply for Green Card which was available to him. The prime issue frustrating Eurosceptics is the centralised control of the European Commission in Brussels with its lavish budget and with its ever encompassing interference in what can be termed national matters. But in spite of the interference or the economic cost one should not forget that all the countries of European Union do not spend as much money as they would have had to spend on individual's defence budget if such a peaceful and inclusive state of affairs was not established. ‘In' or ‘out' is a misleading and dangerous simplification of an issue with long term ramifications, which shouldn't be decided when emotions are running high but under a rigorous logical assessment of realities. The important subjects to be considered are not just trade, commerce, immigration, national pride or socalled ongoing interference. The UK has earned its place in the world paying the full price in blood and toil over at least 150 years to have a special status for an island nation. Of course, it is the second-most prosperous nation in EU and its ambitions and deep desires for independence deserve more comprehensive and detailed examination than emotional outbursts from of a section of Conservative MPs who are labelled as Eurosceptics. For once Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was almost right when he said last Saturday that it is not for national interest alone that PM David Cameron has called for referendum on June 23, 2016. Perhaps, while trying to secure a clear majority in the 2015 General Elections, the seeds were planted for this turbulence. To be continued

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Voting to leave the European Union would be a massive boost to UK-India relations...Remaining within the EU will mean the UK will be in a weaker position to forge the closer trading ties that would benefit the Indian and UK economies. Within the EU we do not have our own trade policy and have suffered as a result of the EU’s protectionist instincts and inward-looking and outdated looking approach to global politics. But by leaving the EU we can take back control over this vital area of policy. We can focus more on global trade and strengthening our relations with the Commonwealth and other countries. Importantly, an independent Britain free from the EU can ensure that we realise the full potential of our special relationship with India... British business, including those businesses set-up and established by members of the diaspora living in the UK, are eager to access the Indian market and build mutually beneficial trade deals with businesses in India. Those new workers are also global consumers and the UK can provide more of the goods and services they want if it was outside of the EU. Although the focus of the Conservative Government on enhancing our relationship with India has led to an increase in trade since 2010, we could go further if we were not held back by the vested self-interests of the EU. Indeed, one of the reasons why our trading links with India were inadequate when we came to Government in 2010 was because of the focus that Britain had given to trade within Europe as a result of membership of the EU. In contrast to what is happening in India, the European Union is on a downward spiral with high unemployment, little or no growth, and economies in crisis. While the EU is losing influence globally and becoming increasingly inward-looking, India is taking a leadership role on the world stage. The UK shares India’s outwardlooking worldview and is keen to work more closely with India to support its ascent. In closer partnership together we can support more free trade and cooperate on other issues such as international security. There are other advantages to leaving the EU too...The mass influx of migrants from Eastern Europe in particular has contributed to pressures on the UK’s housing stock, public services and infrastructure. Because we are unable to restrict migration from the EU, immigrants from non-EU countries have faced more restrictions to help ease the pressure from immigration. I know that many members of the Indian diaspora find it deeply unfair that other EU nationals effectively get special treatment. This can and will change if Britain leaves the EU. Leaving the EU will help reinvigorate relations between the UK and India. It will also help the Indian diaspora living in the UK. As I was born and raised in an Indian family which owned local businesses, I know of the strong entrepreneurial spirit that is within our blood. The diaspora have a great reputation as business owners and entrepreneurs. However, like all businesses, they have been hit hard by bureaucracy, red tape and regulations from the EU...Billions of pounds that could be invested in creating new jobs and growth are instead swallowed up by these regulations. Leaving the EU will mean that we can set our own regulations for business and cut their costs... Priti Patel MP Prime Minister’s Champion of Indian Diaspora

OUT

I have always been inclined to vote to exit Europe because I believe it will give us back control. We will be able to set our own laws and control our own borders which will have significant benefits for the UK. It will open up trading routes with other, more profitable markets, particularly with the Commonwealth –which Asian businesses in the UK will have a natural advantage in trading with. Nevertheless, I think the Prime Minister should be congratulated for delivering the British people with a historic EU Referendum. Whilst I endorse the renegotiations, I don’t think I will ever get the opportunity to vote to exit Europe in my lifetime. This is our only chance, hence why in my opinion a BREXIT would always trump any renegotiation package. Cllr Ameet Jogia, Harrow

OUT

It is the right and moral duty of every adult citizen to vote in an election, and Asian Voice hopes its readers will be voting in the EU Referendum on 23 June, deciding the best future for Britain.

UK Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

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Rani Singh, Special Assignments Editor

A BBC journalist going far beyond the headlines Dhruti Shah is an awardwinning journalist specialising in verification, user generated content, investigative reporting and creative storytelling through social media. Currently producing at the BBC World Service flagship Newshour, she has worked across much of the BBC including its news website, flagship investigations programme Panorama, the Natural History Unit and the User Generated Content Hub. She has a track record of finding a wide range of offbeat original stories. She is often asked to participate on global panels on digital storytelling, ethics, and vicarious trauma. She was selected by the Dart Centre, a project of Columbia University’s Journalism School, to receive a 2015/2016 Ochberg Fellowship. She is also a member of the Women of Future network and the Clore Cultural Leadership network.

Dhruti Shah

34-year old Dhruti is an Indian- origin Briton who got herself into a pivotal media role by sheer guts, determination and initiative. Background Dhruti’s parents are Kenya-born, with both living for a time in India, where her grandparents are originally from. Dhruti was born in Hounslow. She is the middle one of three sisters. There is no media in her family background.

Despite that, when Dhruti’s early talent for writing was rewarded with a writing school place for gifted children when she was only 11, her parents encouraged her to follow her passion. As a teenager she was writing for the Uxbridge Gazette even before she started her Oxford University degree. “Considering that we were a working class family, that was quite an achievement and I give my parents

credit for pushing but not forcing me.” Tough Times There’s a challenge Dhruti is facing at home. Her father has had a kidney transplant after four years on dialysis. He is always on her mind. “When you have a transplant it’s not a cure...I’m always more aware of how short life can be and it makes me appreciate my family a lot more, and realise how strong they are.” While she lives at home to help support her parents, she has found that her already tight-knit family has drawn closer together because of the illness. From University to BBC After Oxford, Dhruti won a Trinity Mirror journalism bursary and worked at local paper, the Harrow and Wembley Observer, for three years. She had realised that to move ahead with her passion for telling stories, she would have to create her own opportunities and learn the art of networking. Deciding to move away from the print job, she went to a BBC event where she met an altruistic and kindly BBC mentor, the late Claire Prosser. Claire encouraged Dhruti to apply for the highly competitive BBC Journalism trainee scheme. Dhruti did not have a great deal of broadcast experience though she had started working for the BBC

to be aware of self-care. News website. She won a “Looking at dead bodies place on the scheme and has all the time or speaking to stayed at the corporation people in horrendous situasince. tions, I’m trying to make a She’s now in her 16th difference.” BBC role, having estabPart of this process is lished a reputation for feartaking occasional profeslessness outside as well as sional breaks from direct inside the corporation. “I exposure to traumatising like to go above and beyond material. what the job entails,” she “I’m trying to rotate says. away from that. It’s someTrauma Challenges thing the BBC newsroom is An unforeseen part of looking at. When we were in Dhruti’s work- that has now New York, we were taught become a mission for herby clinicians and sciis the shocking mateentists. So I’ve been rial that social trying media journalI’m aways more personally to find out why, ists are exposed to in the aware of how short what the brain does in order course of life can be and it to understand compiling makes me how we can stories and appreciate my become more reports. family a lot more resilient.” “You’re Her current dealing with and realise how role at people in horrific situations. strong they are Newshour is giving her new skills You’re dealing and the chance to try with people in Syria, her hand at storytelling in a Libya, all around the world different way. in terrible circumstances. I She was also talenthad contact with people spotted for the BBC who have gone on to be Director General's emergmurdered. It’s difficult to ing leader scheme...highnot take on board that the lighting future leaders from world can be a very cruel diverse backgrounds. place.” Whatever challenges She was picked to win a Dhruti faces professionally prestigious Ochberg and domestically, her drive Fellowship at the Dart to tell stories and use the Centre in New York because most innovative methods to of her work to raise awaredo so does not diminish, ness of the trauma that and will propel her ever often comes with facing upwards. A journalist for news material daily. She is our time. an advocate for journalists

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Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

JNU incidents

Letter writers

The AV Feb 20 report on the recent incidents in Jawaharlal Nehru University reveals a very disturbing leftist psychology. The so-called cultural event was celebrating the life of Afzal Guru who attacked Indian Parliament with slogans “Tum kitne Afzal maaroge, har ghar se Afzal niklega – how many Afzal can you kill, there will be Afzal from every home.” If this is not anti-Indian, antinational one would not know what is. JNU is known to be the hotbed of extreme leftist ideology. But this time the students have gone over the top. I have read the entire speech made on the occasion by Kanhaiya Kumar, the President of the JNU students union, in the internet. If anything the language of the speech is seditious in tone. It is this reason the interim report of the university inquiry committee on the incidents has recommended debarring of these students from academic activities. Kumar and his supporters were agitating against socio-economic problems. They have been there in India for thousands of years. The UPA led by the Congress Party ruled India from 2004 to 2014. In fact the Congress Party has been in power for most of the time since independence. What did these so-called socialists do to resolve these issues during all these years? The Bihar state is run by a socialist party led by Nitish Kumar. He was in power even before the last election. What has he done to resolve caste system in that state? Why are these so-called socialist students not agitating against him? Jatindra Saha By email

Junior doctors

It seems Mr Khajuria’s interpretation is often geared to prove his narrow minded point, irrespective of facts and figures he is so fond of quoting! He jumped to conclusion I was referring to India when no country was mentioned. However I have come across numerous horror stories, especially in dental implants which have to be removed under NHS after they develop infection due to un-hygienic instruments, surgeries performed on unfit patients and lack of appropriate antibiotics. He may have received excellent treatment but one swallow does not make summer. That is why he left Sudan for UK. He should have watched heart-rending documentary how organs, especially kidneys are obtained illegally in developing countries that ruin donners’ lives for “fist full of dollars!” It is comfortable to live in bliss of ignorance than face reality. No wonder super-rich Middle-East patients are flocking India for life-saving organ transplants! Professional bodied like BMA, BDA, GPC and Law Society while acting as trade union for members, are equally responsible for looking after public interest. That is why Government granted them self-regulating powers, act against their members for unscrupulous behaviours, in breach of professional ethics. LS compensate clients if firms go into liquidation or clients become victim of dishonest solicitors. Unfortunately commercialism has infiltrated every profession. Old ethics, utilitarianism, unpretentious luminary professionals are in short supply. Our NHS with all its’ shortfalls is indeed envy of the world. Bhupendra M. Gandhi By email

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AV/GS has been fortunate to have some prolific writers who enthusiastically make their contributions on regular basis. There has been an addition of two female writers namely Kumudini Valambia and Ila Kapadia in the club. Hope they will continue to make their impact and inspire other women folk. As regards to rewarding letter writers for their proficiency, in my case, expressing my viewpoint is an important part of my letter writing as this serves as an outlet to me. I find it therapeutic. I am humbled to see some of my letters published. However, certificate in recognition for the brilliance will be great for aspiring letter writers. Niranjan Vasant By email

Satirical poem

Even though the satirical poem in CB’s Jivant Panth column in Gujarat Samachar a couple of weeks ago is presented as a joke and meant for fun, it seems very appropriate for today’s India where corruption and nepotism are rife. We celebrate India’s Independence Day on 15 August and its Republic Day on 26 January with great pomp and gusto in this country. We pay homage to Bharatmata and its freedom fighters; we praise its virtues and chant how great India is. But then we can’t be more hyprcrites. If we really think India is so great and and has so much to offer, our forefathers would not have left it for greener pastures elsewhere. We would love to live in India if it can offer us similar lifestyle as here. Many of us enjoying a happy and stressfree life here should stop slagging this country which has given us so much. For a change why don’t we also sing the British National anthem and shout “Jai Britain” and “Long live the Queen” when we gather to celebrate India’s indepencence and its achievement of republic status? Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Oil and gas in Azerbaijan

Oil and gas were discovered Azerbaijan in the 19th century. The Azeri-ChiragGunashli oilfield, known as ACG, is at a depth of five kilometres below the Caspian Seabed about 170 km from port of Baku. The hydrocarbons were made from plants and planktons which stored energy from sunlight but then got fossilised and compressed. The Azeri Light crude was formed between 3.4 and 5.3 million years ago, long before Homo sapiens evolved. It is transported by overland pipeline via Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey, then pipeline under Mediterranean Sea to Italy and lastly overland pipeline Italy-Austria-Germany-UK. This history is repeated in thousands of such operations in close cooperation between nations and companies. British Petroleum 2035 Energy Outlook’s foresees energy demand to increase by 34% in the next 20 years. However, the energy mix will not change very much between 2014 and 2035. Oil share will go down by 3%; gas up by 2%; coal down by 5%, nuclear up by 1%, hydro will remain the same and biofuels will grow by 6%. 50% of energy supply will be used in power generation. Car demand in USA and Europe will remain static, while in India and China it will grow substantially. Nagin Khajuria By email

Death in paradise

Now and again TV channels come-out with heart-warming programmes that would keep winter blues at bay! ITV gave us “Heart Beat” and “Peak Practice”. Latest such programme, a joint BBC-French production is “Death in Paradise” in its’ third series. It took off slowly but now viewing figure has rocketed to 8 million, even though both main characters have changed. Original eccentric DI was played by Ben Miller and glamour, beauty provided by Sara Martins, now replaced by Kris Marshall and upcoming French actress Josephine Jobert with light-hearted humour by ever present Danny John-Jules. The Commissioner Selwyn Patterson expertly played by Don Warrington provides upperlip British haughtiness by black actor! But winner undoubtedly is the location, the fictional island of San Marie, alias French Guadeloupe, with stunning scenery, sandy beaches, lush tropical forest with coconut palms, tropical flowers, fast flowing streams and muddy roads with pot-holes and traffic chaos in tiny lanes passing through settlements with goats and chicken running wild! All such glamorous series could not be continued indefinitely, as they obviously run out of plots, story-lines and the latest series show such shortfalls. But who cares, as long as sun is shining, temperature in 80s and blue sea too tempting not to take plunge, even from your armchair! Perfect antidote to counter my addiction to Indian soaps! Kumudini Valambia By email

JNU campus

The recent events at JNU campus are disturbing/ distressing to all Indian patriots. Celebrating anniversary of hanging Afzal Guru and anti-Indian, anti-national sloganeering have rightly created nationwide anguish. Organizer of event saw this as molehill; ABVP saw dangerous mountain behind this molehill and protested against celebration. 65% of Indians surveyed are happy at rapid control of situation by swift reaction by V.C. and response of police.. Various opportunist politicians, media and leftist/liberals fished in troubled waters. President of student’s union got caught in dumb, disastrous dark world of dishonesty. Whether he will be pronounced guilty / innocent, stigma will stay with him and all concerned forever. It is surprising is that though UPA government convicted and hanged Afzal Guru, yet Rahul Gandhi decided to support rebels. Organizers know this fact yet they welcome him. This exposes unholy union’s malafide intention to misinform that Afzal Guru was wrongly hanged. Another fact exposed is that Kashmiri separatists take this as national sentiment. But India’s patriots are not that unhappy as to give up Kashmir. Maximum publicity to Kanhaiya Kumar’s involvement and angry lawyers is meant to tarnish image of India and distract attention away from seditious activities in JNU campus. Ramesh Jhalla By email We are very privileged that our letter writers contribute to our newspaper every week. We value your contributions immensely. Asian Voice is planning a proper ceremony to honour our letter writers at a suitable venue on a suitable date. In the meantime it will be great if you could write to aveditorial@abplgroup, with your name and contact details, number of letters you have written, for appropriate citation and certification.

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Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

“Our London”

A-level maths standards down on 1960s but not on 1990s

Navin Shah, GLA Member for Brent and Harrow

Green Light For Avanti School I warmly welcome Harrow Council’s Planning Committee’s unanimous decision last week to grant planning permission for the much awaited Avanti Secondary School. The project entails three Storey School Building with Detached Sports Hall/Community Changing Block together with Hard and Soft Landscaping, The Council chamber was packed with the supporters of the School who have worked hard and campaigned for the success of the application. Many objectors, genuinely concerned about the issues like flooding, traffic, noise and residential amenity too were present and spoke at the meeting. The application drew some 652 letters of support and received some125 objections. The application raised complex planning considerations with both Harrow Council and the Mayor of London acknowledging that the application was a departure from the development in that the application was proposed on open space for a school use which is contrary to the site’s allocated purpose. However, there were

‘compelling’ material planning ground which justified approval of the application. I have taken keen interest in the development of this school during the lengthy period of negotiations between Harrow Council, Avant House and Education Funding Agency, wrote to Harrow Council in support of the application and attended the planning committee meeting. The approval for the school is great news for the parents and pupils of the current Avanti Primary School in Harrow and a large number of supporters including parents who’ve waited eagerly for this successful outcome. This is also great news for Harrow’s education because the school will make a vital contribution to much needed school places. I’m hugely delighted because, £10 million government funding was obtained under my leadership of Harrow Council in 2006 for the Krishna Avanti Primary School in Harrow which became UK’s first ever voluntary aided Hindu School. And I see the approval for this secondary school now as a natural progression of the landmark success in 2006. The

school will give vital choice to the residents of the multifaith, multicultural Harrow. The Avanti Primary School has an enviable track record of running a top school with high educational attainment combined with an award winning echo-friendly school building set in a beautifully landscaped environment. The primary school serves as a landmark to educational excellence and I have no doubt that the secondary school too will follow the very example from which Harrow’s diverse community and education will benefit enormously. There are still some serious hurdles to overcome to address the genuine concerns of local residents on the issues like traffic, noise, flood risk, privacy etc. and I urge Harrow Council in partnership with the school management to work hard and expediently to resolve the issues. I will be lobbying Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor of London to improve the bus routes serving the school area and writing to the Mayor to approve the planning application under stage II requirements.

Students who achieve a B in Alevel maths today would only have secured an E in the 1960s, suggests research. However standards have been stable since the 1990s, with no evidence of any further fall since then, says the Loughborough University paper. The researchers compared the level of mathematical knowledge needed to tackle today's maths Alevel papers with those from the 1960s and 1990s. The government said its reforms would help tackle grade inflation in England. The authors say their work, published in the British Educational Research Journal amounts to one of the most com-

prehensive studies into A-level standards. They looked at 66 Alevel scripts across the decades and concluded that a B-grade from today was the equivalent of an E in the 1960s - but unchanged since the 1990s. Major reforms to GCSEs and A-levels in England were brought in last autumn with the aim of making the qualifications more rigorous. New tougher GCSE maths courses were brought in last September, along with English and English literature. Other GCSE subjects will follow suit over the next two years, while new Alevel courses will be introduced for first teaching in 2017.

Trojan Horse scandal: Teachers banned indefinitely Two teachers who worked at the school at the centre of the "Trojan Horse" scandal have been banned from the classroom for life. Inamulhaq Anwar, 34, and Akeel Ahmed, 41, had denied stepping up religious influence in education at Park View Academy in Alum Rock, Birmingham. A professional standards panel handed the men interim teaching bans in 2015. Mr Anwar and Mr Ahmed can apply to have their new bans set aside but only after minimum terms have elapsed. The men had denied a central

allegation they had agreed with others to the inclusion of "an undue amount of religious influence in pupils' education". The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) said Mr Anwar would serve an indefinite ban for a minimum period of six years. Mr Ahmed will serve a ban with a three-year minimum term. Neither man is allowed to teach in any school, sixth form college, youth accommodation or children's home in England. They have 28 days to appeal against their bans to the High Court.

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On Wednesday 23 March, we will be hosting our annual Youth Conference networking evening. We have a fantastic line-up of speakers who will share their success stories, give motivational short talks to inspire and advise the younger generation, so that young people can fulfill their aspirations and get ahead in the world of work. There will be a scope to take part in Q&A and brief workshops.

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Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

It started off as ‘Made in India,’ something to celebrate in its elevation as an international brand, instead the mindless ruckus in Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University held centre stage for all the wrong reasons. TV channels tackle the subject much like a rugby player does an opponent. The ensuing scrum sums up what passes for considered debate; it was the same brawl night after boring night, generating heat in abundance with barely a ray of light to the lighten the encircling gloom. The incontrovertible facts are that a section of the JNU’s students union and its president held as meeting to protest the alleged miscarriage of justice to Afzal Guru , who having been tried in a court of law for his crimes of terrorism, leading to the deaths of innocent victims, received the death sentence.

on the icy desolation of the Siachen Glacier, fresh in the public mind, it was surely the height of folly for the JNU students to embark of their ill-conceived venture.

US F-16s for Pakistan

News that the Obama Administration has sanctioned an aid package that includes the supply of the latest F-16 warplanes equipped with state-ofthe-art weapon systems on the somewhat specious plea that this was necessary for Islamabad’s war on jihadi terrorism is black humour stretched to breaking point. The right F-16s will cost some $750 million. You can bet much of this will be written off in time.

Indian protest

The Government of India has lodged a stiff protest – which it has been doing for decades with no discernible response beyond the accustomed pieties that the US seeks stability in south Asia and is committed to the IndiaPakistan peace process. This

Disorder in Delhi over JNU meeting

Anti-national conundrum

BJP-RSS activists, bit between their teeth, tarred the organizer and participants as ‘anti-national,’ hence guilty of a heinous crime. ‘Anti-national’ can be an objective reality, or it is a subjective charge. In hindsight some might argue that Prime Minister Modi’s impulsive decision to drop by at Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s residence in Lahore for a family bash, taken in the context of the subsequent terror attack on the Pathakot Air Force base, could be interpreted as an ‘anti-national’ act. A BJP culture Czar in Madhya Pradesh wished to impose a ban on a book entitled Nationalism because he believed it to be ‘anti-national’ and pro- Pakistan. The author, it turned out, was Rabindranath Tagore!

Acting in haste, repenting at leisure

Imprisoning the JNU Union president was much like using a hammer to crack a nut, in this instance, make him a martyr. One thinks of Jawaharlal Nehru faced by certain Tamil leaders’ cries of for secession of Tamil Nadu from the Indian Union. He dismissed the call as an aberration which, in the fullness of time, it turned out to be. The BJP regime’s lapse of judgment opened a Pandora box of condemnable violence and disorder, culminating with lawyers, who are trained to uphold, thrashing journalists in full public view, and breaking the law. The sight of a coalition of Communist and Congress leaders shedding crocodile tears for the violation of free speech was supremely ironical, considering their solemn silence at the attack on Jaipur Literary Festival, not so long ago, mounted by the Islamic clergy from

Deoband, objecting to the presence of authors whom they considered apostates. Such double standards, alas, have become the norm in Indian public. Mindless populism for temporary glory is India’s curse.

Magnanimity in politics may be the truest wisdom; and a great nation and little minds may go ill together, but such exalted sentiments can only be fulfilled in an appropriate setting. Pakistan, in retrospect, has been a jihadi state in an undeclared state of war from its inception in August 1947 in pursuit of an Islamic Subcontinent. Zukfikar Ali Bhutto called ringingly for a 1,000- year jihad against India; and the Pakistan military and intelligence have openly expressed a wish to destroy by a thousand cuts. If only the Indian political class would read a little more and a talk a great deal less on television and cease pontificating on an imaginary peace process arising from increased India-Pakistan cricketing encounters, the truth would surely become self-evident. Reading and digesting the American academic Christine Fair’s meticulously researched book, ‘Fighting to the End: The Pakistan Army’s Way of War,’ could be a troubling experience for the lotus-eaters who continue to rule, India that is Bharat.

Height of folly

With the former Pakistani military dictator Pervaiz Musharraf boasting brazenly on Indian television of his own and his country’s culpability in terrorist depredations in India, with the recent jihadi assaults on Gurdaspur and Pathankot and the deaths of 10 Indian soldiers

Mini BrahMos underway BrahMos, an India-Russian joint venture, is the world’s sole supersonic mach 2.8 cruise missile with a range of 300 kilometres. It is already in service with the Indian Army and surface ships of the Indian Navy. Its weight has precluded its use, thus far, by the Indian Air Force and the Navy’s submarine fleet, hence work is underway to develop lighter mini BrahMos missiles that can be produced at a faster rate and in greater numbers to meet India’s present requirements. A Russian engineer told one of his country’s reporters that the ‘Make in India’ project may have appeared now, but ‘if we talk about our project , the slogan started to be realized more than 15 years ago.’ (Russia India Report, Moscow)

Defence sector bags highest investments

Amitabh Kant Secretary to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is the brains behind the government’s Start-up India Initiative, spoke to the media on the need for innovation, embracing new technologies and ease of doing business in India. ‘Of all the 14 sectors, defence has bagged the highest amount of investments, followed by railways and consumer goods,’ he said (Business Line February 16)

Huge boost to electronics

Sponsoring terror

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar

surely is the longest running horseplay in living memory. Better to take stock and act accordingly in the national interest rather than plead one’s cause from prayer mats to America’s living deities, deaf, dumb and blind. More notice may be taken in Washington at Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s strictures, since fewer lucrative defence contracts may come the way of US companies. (Times of India, Hindu February 14, 19)

Fifth Generation warplane back on track

It helps greatly when a defence minister happens to be an IIT alumnus. Manohar Parrikar with his sound grasp of technology and engineering has unblocked negotiations with Russia on the joint venture for the manufacture of the Multirole Fifth Generation aircraft which, when it takes to the skies, promises to be the most lethal around. ‘The qualitative requirements for the fighter have been drawn up by the Air Force and those will be met with a collaborative development approach. The [Defence] Ministry is keen to carry forward the project and not just buy some fighters off the shelf as was suggested by certain quarters.’ said a senior Indian official (Economic Times February 11)

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India’s electronics received a huge boost with the launch of a Rs 10,000 crore development fund targeted cspecifically at the semi-conductor industry. It will provide risk capital to companies developing new technologies in electronics, nano-electronics and information technology. IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said this was ‘one of a number of dream projects and the government will do everything to project the intellectual property of the start-ups that use this fund.’ (Business Line February 17)

Samsung bets on India

The Indian market with its unique challenges is the spur to Samsung Electronics to forge ahead with innovation and create new products in the country and in foreign markets as well. Convertible refrigerators, washing machines were some of the

PM Modi awarding Time magazine awards to Indian company CEOs. see comment page 3

South Korean company’s products at an Asian Forum in Singapore. ‘The research and development teams are developing products for the entire Samsung world,’ said CEO H.C.Hong. His company’s motto is ‘Make for India,’ he says (Business Line February 11)

India crucial for IBM: CEO

International Business Machines ((IBM) Chairman, President and CEO, Ginni Rometty, said that ‘India will play a really important role in cognitive. ‘Our India research labs are already working on natural language processing, machine learning and have actually done a lot of work in cognitive systems in finance tech support….As the world embraces digital, it will also embrace cognitive. We will be able to solve problems which humanity has never solved,’ she concluded. (Mint February 5)

More research centres on innovation: Tata

Speaking on a Maharashtra Investment Forum discussion with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and others, Tata Chairman Emeritus, Ratan Tata, called for more research centres on innovation. He has devoted himself to start-ups, having himself invested heavily in them. He said ‘Maharashtra offers all the benefits of Silicon Valley and has the potential to become the startup hub of the world, where people can come to start their ventures instantly.’ (Business Line February 16).

Bachchan of biz Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata, flanked by Sun Pharma MD Dilip Shanghvi (left) and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, at a panel discussion at the Make in India event, in Mumbai

UK Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

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London Why we need Sadiq Rajesh Agrawal, Chairman & CEO, RationalFX What I love about London is that it is a city of opportunity. A city where anyone can come, live, work, start a business and succeed. A city that is open, tolerant, dynamic and safe. This was the London I experienced when I moved here from India, and it is this London that I want my children to live in as they grow up. Sadiq Khan knows the value of the London I love. He was the son of immigrants and his father was bus driver. Yet Sadiq became a top lawyer, the MP for his community and the first Asian to attend Cabinet. Nothing has held Sadiq back, and that’s what he wants for others in London too. I don’t usually like to get personal when it comes to politics, but background, values and experience do count when it comes to the role of Mayor. In Sadiq, I see a person who shares my ambitions and aspirations for this city and I think that many readers of this paper will see the same. Sadiq knows that too many Londoners are now being held back in a way he wasn’t. It is changing that that drives him. And is this reason why London now needs Sadiq, not Zac, as our next Mayor. Sadiq can relate to those suffering under the rising cost of housing in our city. The Conservatives have a dismal record and no will for change on this priority issue. But Sadiq has put building more affordable homes for rent and sale front and centre of his campaign. He has

a bold plan to utilise public land for housing and will make affordability a spending priority for City Hall. Sadiq also knows what it takes to improve London transport. As Minister for Transport he was responsible for getting the first Crossrail project off the ground. As Mayor he will use this experience to champion Crossrail 2, to bring more of London’s substandard commuter rail services under TfL control and to freeze TfL fares. Importantly, Sadiq knows that London is a city of enterprise. He has run his own business. Sadiq recognises that Labour did not do enough to win the support of business at the last General Election, and has, more than any candidate, spent time engaging with businesses to understand our priorities in the early part of his campaign. I know that Sadiq is genuine in his commitment to be the most business friendly Mayor ever (even if this puts him at odds with his Party leader from time to time!) Finally, Sadiq understands the importance of London’s diversity. He has been Minister for Community Cohesion, and has long worked hard to promote understanding between London’s communities and faiths, and to tackle discrimination and prejudice. Sadiq doesn’t ask for our votes in May because he is Asian, but because of what he has done and will do for London as Mayor. I for one would be proud to see him installed at City Hall next May. I believe that the London I love needs him.

Court of Appeal Provides a New Hope for Domestic Violence Victims

“Domestic violence is a blot on any civilised society but is regrettably prevalent”. These were the introductory remarks of Lord Justice Longmore sitting in the Court of Appeal last week. He was one Sarah Jopling of three Judges hearing an application brought by ‘Rights of Women’ against the Lord Chancellor’s dept. Domestic violence has a wide remit and doesn’t just mean being physically beaten as many assume. It can be physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, financial. It is essentially a situation of imbalance of power where one half of a couple uses whatever means necessary to take control of the other half. There is often an assumption that the victim is the wife or female half of the relationship but that isn’t always the case either. Legal Aid aims to provide access to Justice for all who need it. It is, like other welfare benefits, funded by the state and so regulations and rules are necessary to ensure the fair distribution of that fund to those who need it most. In 2012 the regulations governing legal aid provision in family cases fundamentally changed. Instead of a presumption in favour of providing legal aid to those whose own finances prevented them paying for legal advice, a further ‘merits’ test was imposed. Those requiring legal aid in their family case had always had to show that their financial circumstances were below the threshold, and they had also had to show that their case was meritorious; but now they had another hurdle to jump. They had to show either that there were child protection concerns or that they were the victim of domestic violence. The latter hurdle is what the Court of Appeal were asked to look at. ‘Rights of Women’ argued, amongst other things, that the evidence that women had to provide in order to prove they had been the victim of domestic violence was so restrictive that it excluded many women who ought to have been offered legal aid to

help them. The main issue was that the regulations had provided a list of evidence that was acceptable and also required it to be less than 24 months old. It left those who had been victims historically out in the cold and left little discretion for those who had evidence that wasn’t on the list. Those working with victims of domestic violence knew only too well that often such violence was unreported due to fear of reprisal and so there was no evidence. They were also well aware that for many, the two year rule left them vulnerable to old partners who frankly didn’t care that time had gone by. The Court were provided with case studies of women who had been denied legal aid. One such woman was M who had been the victim of serious physical, sexual and psychological abuse, including rape, strangulation, beating, and controlling behaviour. She had 8 objective pieces of evidence which satisfied the regulations- but none of them were within the last 24 months. When her ex husband applied for contact with their children she was refused legal aid and was expected to represent herself without a lawyer. The Court of Appeal were not persuaded that the 24 month rule assisted in ensuring that the public fund was used in the most deserving of cases and in fact considered that the evidence it had heard showed that often the contrary was the case. They were concerned as had been legal aid family solicitors, that the rule had effectively left many vulnerable victims without legal representation when their estranged and dangerous ex partners made spurious applications for contact with their children. The problem was that although the victims had a time limit of 24 months, the perpetrators had no time limit imposed on them and could start divorce, financial or children act proceedings whenever they wanted to. The Court also decided that the regulations prevented any victim of financial abuse from ever obtaining legal aid. Thanks to the Court of Appeal’s decision, more victims will now be able to have access to justice and be offered legal aid and representation in their family cases.

Toddler's near miss when washing machine exploded A toddler had a lucky escape when a washing machine exploded "like a bomb" in a family home in Harrow. Darshak Purohit's four-year-old daughter Hinal was in the kitchen with the machine when it blow up in the first 10 minutes of a cycle. The explosion blast through some of the kitchen worktop and shat-

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shocked to see the remnants of the destroyed Hoover washing machine. The 35year-old marketing manager s a i d : Darshak Purohit with his four-year-old "When I daughter Hinal spoke to tered glasses that were Hoover they were not at all stood on the sideboard. helpful and said that they Mr Purohit, his parhave no answer. The only ents, wife and one-year-old thing they can do is to sell daughter were in another me a 12-month service room when they heard a plan where either they will "huge bang" on Friday repair it or replace it with morning. new one. This is not at all Mr Purohit rushed into helpful as this kind of fault the kitchen and was might take someone's life."

14 COMMUNITY

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Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

Alok Sharma MP

Reading West, Prime Minister's Infrastructure Envoy to India

We want Britain to become India's number one partner for raising infrastructure finance

Alok Sharma share platform with Minister Nitin Gadkari at Make in India

Last week I visited India to discuss further infrastructure opportunities for our two great nations. It was my first visit to the country since being appointed Prime Minister David Cameron's Infrastructure Envoy. Joined by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Harriett Baldwin MP, I had discussions with key figures in the Indian Government - including Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu, Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari, and Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha - as well as representatives from the public and private sector, aimed at developing closer ties between the UK and Indian capital markets. The topics discussed ranged from raising finance in the London market to fuel India's infrastructure growth, to UK collaboration on India's National I n v e s t m e n t Infrastructure and Fund and green finance. I also had an opportunity to speak at the 'Make in India' conference in Mumbai, putting the case for the UK as a key financing hub. My appointment as Infrastructure Envoy underlines the importance this Conservative Government places on developing the special relationship between the UK and India. Infrastructure is a key part of our bilateral relationship and that is why we want Britain to become India's number one partner for raising finance. David Cameron has enjoyed three visits to India in his time as Prime Minister. Both he and Chancellor George Osborne are keen for the

UK to support India's infrastructure development programme and continued rapid economic growth. India's growth forecast certainly makes it stand out when compared to other emerging markets. And, its infrastructure assets are an excellent match for the large pool of long-term capital in London. But, there is no stronger endorsement for the growth of this special relationship than Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement during his recent visit to the UK about plans to launch a flagship rupeedenominated bond in London by the Indian Railway Finance Corporation. It is a fantastic opportunity which puts Britain's financial markets at the heart of funding India's rapidly growing economy and ambitious infrastructure requirements. Mr Modi's visit was accompanied by other announcements from HDFC, Bharti Airtel, State Bank of India and Yes Bank to raise finance through the City of London in rupees, sterling and dollars. This further highlights the opportunities for the Indian private sector, as well as public sector entities, to raise capital in the UK for their investment and growth. Looking forward, I hope to work closely with colleagues from both governments to ensure that we continue to develop closer ties between the UK and Indian capital markets. I am committed to putting the case for the UK as a key financing hub for India. And, I am confident that, over the coming years, a significant amount of financing for Indian infrastructure will be raised in the UK.

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New visa rules to affect foreign doctors Indian doctors in the UK may find it difficult to apply for jobs under the proposed changes to the country's visa regime with plans to introduce a new test for the employers for ensuring European workers are given priority for skilled jobs. The UK government has proposed that if the employers wished to recruit a migrant from outside the settled workforce for a skilled job, they will need to show that they have carried out the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT) unless the post is on the shortage occupation list, according to the new proposals. The British Medical Association has warned the government that if it implements new recommendations on visa rules from the Migrations Advisory Committee, the change would not only have a devastating impact on the 500 overseas medical graduates of UK medical schools each year, but also on patient care because of the insufficient time to plan ahead for the number of doctors coming through training.

Restricting the supply of UK trained doctors progressing through the system could also severely disrupt the government’s goal of delivering more sevenday services and 5000 extra GPs. This comes at a time, when already one in three GPs are considering retiring in the next five years, hundreds of GP trainee posts remain vacant this year, and after the government’s imposition of a new contract on junior doctors, concerns are rising that many will vote with their feet and leave the NHS. The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO), a representative body of nearly 50,000 Indian-origin doctors in the country, has decided to write to the UK

Home Office warning of an impending "chaos" for NHS. On the other hand the UK government has also decided to set an extra immigration skills charge at £1000 per year. The BMA in a statement said that a skills charge set at this level would impose a cost of more than £3.5 million on the NHS, if it was applied to the 3602 doctors who were granted Tier 2 visas from August 2014 to August 2015. Health Education England, the single sponsor for all doctors training in England, would be subject to charges of more than £800,000 per year alone. The government has further proposed increasing the minimum salary threshold from £20,800 to £30,000 for acquiring a work permit for foreign doctors. The BMA has revealed that this increase would prevent doctors in training and many specialty doctors from being able to work less than full-time, which could lead to UK trained doctors being

forced to leave the NHS, if they need flexible working arrangements due to caring or other responsibilities. BAPIO President Dr Ramesh Mehta told PTI: "We want to ensure Indian doctors are not used simply as a pair of hands to service the NHS. They should be treated equally as local doctors and given proper training before they return to their countries of origi...The UK needs professional staff in the healthcare field as there is a huge shortage of doctors and nurses in the country. This move will cause chaos for the NHS, besides being unfair on doctors from overseas.” As part of a wider plan to engage with the NHS, BAPIO has facilitated a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust in Birmingham and the Maharashtra government to initially bring 10 doctors from India to train in emergency medicine in the UK. BAPIO is also planning on expanding these MoUs on a national scale between India and the UK.

Man 'planned attack on military personnel in Britain' An alleged Islamic extremist talked about carrying out a terror attack on US service people after his work as a delivery driver took him close to RAF Mildenhall and Lakenheath, a court has heard. The trial heard that Junead Khan, 25, from Luton, used an encrypted messaging app called SureSpot to talk with a man calling himself Abu Hussain, who the prosecution allege was Junaid Hussain, a Briton in Syria. The jury at Kingston Crown Court was read messages from July 5 2015

whom he is jointly between Hussain charged with makand Khan. ing preparations for Khan’s work travelling to Syria to as an agency drivfight for so called er for a pharmaIslamic State. ceutical firm legitThe pair deny imately took him engaging in prepato East Anglia in ration of terrorist May and June acts between August 2015, the court 1 2014 and July 15 heard. 2015. The prosecuThe court has tion allege he drove close to Junead Khan (left) and his uncle Shazib Khan already heard documents found on USAF bases at attacking military personJunead’s computer Mildenhall, Lakenheath, nel in the UK between showed he researched Feltwell, Alconbury and May 10 and July 14 2015, buying items including a Molesworth. which he denies. combat knife on Amazon. Junead Khan is He is on trial with his charged alone with makuncle, Shazib Khan, 23, The case continues. ing preparations for also from Luton, with

Child sex ringleader fights deportation The ringleader of a Rochdale child sex grooming gang cited human rights laws as he launched an appeal against deportation from Britain. Paedophile Shabir Ahmed (63), from Windsor Road, Coppice, described by a judge as a “violent hypocritical bully”, has written to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) claiming his convictions for child sex offences were a conspiracy to “scapegoat” Muslims, his immigration tribunal heard. Ahmed, serving 22 years in jail, was convicted in 2012 of being the ring-

leader of a group of Asian men who preyed on girls as young as 13 in Rochdale, plying them with drink and drugs before they were “passed around” for sex. He appeared before the first tier Immigration Tribunal at Manchester Crown Court, to appeal against the decision by Secretary of State Theresa May to strip him of British citizenship the first stage in the deportation process. Three judges will decide on Ahmed’s appeal as well as on appeals by three other men involved in the gang, also facing deportation. Vinesh Mandalia for

Shabir Ahmed

the Home Office, said Ahmed’s appeal against depriving him of British citizenship included an appeal to the ECHR against his criminal convictions, which had been

acknowledged but didn’t mean his case would be heard. Ahmed’s appeal states his trial was “tainted” and a “miscarriage of justice” as it was “institutionally racist” using Muslims as “scapegoats”. Presiding tribunal Judge Michael Clements reserved his decision on Ahmed and the appeal of a second man, Qari Abdul Rauf, a taxi driver and father of five released on licence last year after serving half of a six-year sentence for trafficking a 15year-old girl for sex and for having sex with her himself.

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TLIGHT

Nikki Gupta: Making a Mark Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

Sunetra Senior

Honouring the War Dead, Europe and Immigration “It is nothing short of a miracle…which has called men from the uttermost ends of the earth… and which has caused human beings to do the most incalculable, improvident and, from a narrow point of view, profitless things.” This was Winston Churchill describing to the House of Commons the support for the war effort from the people of what was then the British Empire. As the Europe debate rages – fuelled by immigration it is time to remember on Commonwealth Day on March 14 the sacrifices of the Commonwealth. I know one former member of the House of Lords told me in confidence that he did not contribute a donation towards the Memorial Gates at Constitution Hill at the time as he felt it was ‘time to move on’. He was wrong. In the First World War almost two out of ten soldiers were volunteers from India, Africa and the Caribbean, the second World War that was three out of ten. We are forgetting Britain’s debt to immigrants. Of course coming into this country today the ability to speak the language is of critical importance. But when a nurse asked my grandmother, ‘have you not picked up any English’ that I had to remind the nurse, that ‘when my grandfather was in the British Army, no one asked him during the second world war about his linguistic skills.’ When on March 14th I will stand outside the Memorial Gates I will remember that it was a disunited Europe which led to war and conflict that spread across the globe. It was never the ‘uncivilised’ and ‘colonised’ who brought war to Europe, but instead brought peace. The remnants of Empire and the lines in the sand Empire drew as she retreated, echo the ancient conflicts between Muslims and Hindus, Muslims and Jews, Muslims and Christians, and Muslims and Muslims. Now as immigrants enter Europe, it is Europe who has to remember the lines she drew, the conflicts she caused. Let us remember in the World War 1, the British King, the German Kaiser and the Russian Tsar were all cousins. A European Union was built to ensure a family of nations used to warring for centuries would at last find peace. As Britain considers exiting the EU, we should remember these nations are not used to by history working together – they have to be forced to do so. The peace this continent has achieved in our lifetimes is unique for the continent for a thousand years. Put economic arguments for Union to oneside, the more Europeans work together, the safer the rest of the world. I still don’t trust them not to start fighting among themselves – given half the chance.

Divorce reduces magnate to a pauper

Mining magnate who spent 17 years battling divorce is facing homelessness with just £5 in the bank. According to a report in The Times, 50-year-old David Mann divorced 48year-old Shelley in 1999 when their two daughters were at primary school. Now both are grown-up, but their parents are still at war. Shelley said that Mann was hiding a fortune and that he should be forced to

pay her the remaining amount from their settlement about £2 million or be jailed. Mann said he was mired in debt despite living in a £90,000-a-year rented flat in Kensington. He told Mrs Justice Roberts that he knew he would have to leave his home and had less than £5 in his bank account and had applied for housing benefit, the report said.

Nikki is the Co-Founder and Director of ‘Mark It!!’: a self-made, instantly trending business responsible for a nifty new Maths app that helps students “master A Level questions” to get them exam success. “We believe that testing students is pointless without the appropriate feedback” she told us. “It has got to be relevant and immediate. ‘MarkIt!!’ can be used on the go, and explains mistakes instantly so students can fix exactly what they get wrong. That’s why it is so effective.” With the likes of leading teaching bodies and corporates behind them, including UCL, London Business School and the Deloitte Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship – the latter of which dubbed them Winner of most impactful business idea, and granted them the Founder Award in November 2015 - the experts seem to agree. But, as Nikki explained, her notability has not been borne of some calculating, clinical strategy. Rather, a deep and genuine desire to help others navigate through life: “I grew up in three different countries, so I moved schools a lot,” she continued. “Maths lessons seemed to have been the constant through a sea of change. Maths was a universal language, and was what kept me afloat. Adapting to different school systems was a struggle I learnt to overcome. This helped me connect with struggling students later when I moved into private tutoring. I knew well what they were going through. ” *** Indeed, what makes the ‘Mark It!!’ app so unique are the helpful little nuances which speak at a human level. These include giving hints as to why a student might have a gotten a question wrong, as opposed to just feeding them the answer, and allowing sixth-form teachers to track their classes’ progress, without the onerous wad of paper marking. “I carried on teaching on the side throughout university to eventually build this hobby into an obsession. By trial and error, I taught myself how to completely turn around any students’ grades. The leap to technology was quite organic: I wanted to help more people and I found it to be the best medium!” A sense of empathy hard-wired into her product, Nikki not only shows the accessibility of division signs and numbers, but the way to investing in yourself. Tell us a bit more about your wonder app please? It is as if students have a teacher sitting by them: we can help identify exactly where a student has gone wrong within the long exam questions. Any maths student in the country can do at least an hour’s worth of revision for free, and the rest of the content can be accessed for a charge.

How exactly did you and co-partner Charles Dupont work together to develop ‘Mark It!!’? Charles and I met at UCL and chose very different career paths. He went to work for a start-up and I went down the finance route. I left KPMG to pur-

Being encouraged to do well at Maths is different from encouraging Mathematical thinking sue education at around the same time that Charles’ SME got bought out by Google. By now, we had been close friends for 8 years and knew our passions. I took charge of creating and editing the content and he managed the technology and business operations. Do you feel that maths is encouraged enough at schools? Being encouraged to do well at Maths is different from encouraging Mathematical thinking. The latter is lacking. School encouraged me to get the answers right, but the real joy of Maths is in the ‘confusion’ in getting TO the answer. The composing of clear logical arguments to solve problems is where the magic happens. Students today undervalue this process and consider not knowing immediately what to do as a weakness. Did you have to have good business acumen, or was having a pure passion for the subject enough? I never thought I would be an entre-

preneur; I had to be one to do what I love. When I do make decisions that require acumen, I find myself having to work backwards from the desired end goal. It’s a very natural sort of process. Having a tech-savvy Cofounder to check plans and grow alongside with is also a big help!

What would you say has been your biggest challenge so far? My comfort zone consisted of tutoring and reporting to parents. In the last two years, I have had to learn and deliver on pitching, sales, marketing, business planning and product management. Each of these was scary, but they were all worth doing. When you work on something you love, problems feel like they already come with solutions; you just have to find the right one. Challenges are an impetus to keep you going, never a reason to give up.

You said that Simon Sinek’s TED talk on ‘How Great Leaders Inspire Action’ really resonated with you; please elaborate? The crux of the talk was: People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. My motivation to help students with difficult subjects and my belief in every student’s ability is what drives me. That I do this via an app is just a small detail of the much bigger picture. Where would you like to take ‘Mark It!!’ in the future? We want a future where the number of students in a class makes zero difference to the level of help each person gets. Finally, what would be your motto for other aspiring entrepreneurs? Do it because you want to solve a problem you have experienced, in a field that gets you out of bed! Entrepreneurship in itself, is not a goal.

Nikki and co-partner Charles

twitter.com/markit_edu

Have a free and frugal family day out in South London

SOUTH LONDON SPECIAL Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

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SOUTH LONDON SPECIAL Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

London may be notorious for its pricey lifestyle, but a day out in South London doesn’t necessarily have to cost a fortune. This feature presents a brief history of a few key areas in South London, their population statistics, important places of worship, community centres, and places of entertainment to visit.

Real or imagined, there is a big divide between North and South London, especially as far as the residents are concerned. To put succinctly, North Londoners generally don’t go south, unless they can't help it, and yet South London has a lot of points of interest. One area that stands out is Greenwich, with its riverside setting, nautical associations, Baroque architecture, and Royal Observatory. Residential, multicultural and always surprising, South London covers a vast swath of the city, including rough and ready Brixton, suburban Clapham and often-overlooked Battersea. Stand outs also include Dulwich, whose public art gallery is even older than the National Gallery, and, on the very edge of London, the Arts and Crafts Red House, William Morris’s former home, and Down House, home of Charles Darwin.

Tooting Transformed

Tooting has always been a great place to eat, enjoy a drink and browse some unique shops, but now it’s so much more than that. It’s a warm, close-knit community with an atmosphere all of its own. Tooting has been a diverse multi-cultural community, well-known for its textiles and curry houses. However, it has increasingly become a hipster hangout as hordes of graduates head for Tooting for cheap rent. This has transformed Tooting High Street as independent coffee houses line up to feed the hungry and often hungover youngsters looking for a quick bite. However, this recent food evolution should not overlook the curry culture that has dominated Tooting for decades. Instead, the combination of the two has cemented Tooting as the place for food. Visitors can shop till they drop, then relax with a drink and a meal at the market in Tooting High Street. Tooting Market has been established over 100 years as South London’s premier indoor market. The market hosts a variety of tenants selling, fresh foods, ladies and men’s fashion, music, hair & nail salons, arts and crafts, furniture, a food court and hundreds of other products to choose from so you’ll be sure to find

what you are looking for. It still has the familiar market stalls that people love, but is now also home to trendy bars, boutiques and restaurants. It is also a mecca for the arts, with frequent live music, craft workshops and performances adding to the lively atmosphere. The newly buzzing market is just part of a recent renaissance in the town fuelled by a lively arts scene, new restaurants and retailers and transport improvements. Local pubs have been given protection and new and refurbished pubs have opened, giving beer lovers a great choice. Tooting Market is located within easy walking distance between Tooting Broadway and Tooting Bec Underground stations.

The South London area includes the London boroughs of: Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond, Southwark, Sutton, Wandsworth.

Dulwich and around

Dulwich is just two stops from Brixton on the railway, but light years away in every other respect. This affluent, middle-class enclave is one

were born outside the UK. This is largely because Wandsworth’s ethnic minorities are so diverse in origin and pattern of settlement. There are Indians in the Borough, plus ‘other Asians’, a category which likely includes a large proportion of East African Asians. Indians have major concentrations in the Balham and Tooting areas. Most are Hindu Gujaratis, whose numbers represent a substantial mixture of Lohanas, Patidars, and Brahmins, among others. Over time Tooting has also seen a rise in Muslim population and also increase in the number of mosques in the area.

Basaveshwara statute in Lambeth

Another attraction for Indians in Lambeth is the statue of Basaveshwara. In

2015 Lambeth saw the installation of the bust of the 12th century social reformer, Basaveshwara, on the lawn between Albert embankment and the river Thames. The bust overlooks Peninsular Heights apartments, where Lord Jeffrey Archer is among the residents. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the granite bust of Kannadiga social reformer on the banks of river Thames in London on November 14, 2015.

Dharmaj Society of London

Dharmaj Society of London (DHASOL) was formed in South London in 1968-69 by a dedicated group of new arrivals of Dharmaj origin, mainly from Kenya, with the primary objective of continuing social and cultural intercourse experi-

Population (2011 and 2001 Census)

Area

2011

2001

Bexley

232000

218800

Bromley

309400

296200

Croydon

363400

335100

Greenwich

254600

217500

Kingston

160100

149000

Lambeth

303100

273400

Lewisham

275900

254300

Merton

199700

191100

Richmond

187000

174300

Southwark

288300

256700

Sutton

190100

181500

Wandsworth

307000

271700

South London population: 2,835,200

Croydon has come a long way

of southeast London’s prettier patches – its leafy streets boast handsome Georgian houses and even a couple of weatherboarded cottages, while the Soanedesigned Dulwich Picture Gallery is one of London’s finest small museums. If Dulwich has a fault, it’s the somewhat cloying self-consciousness about its “village” status, with its rather twee little shops, rural signposts and fully functioning tollgate – the only one remaining in London.

Wandsworth

Wandsworth’s history has been shaped by its position on the Wandle and the Thames and on a major east-west road (probably of Roman origin). The Wandle provided power for mills, which were numerous by 1086. At first they were usually flour mills, but from the seventeenth century new uses were found - iron work-

Dulwich College is now a large, fee-paying, independent boys’ school, with an impressive roll call of old boys, including Raymond Chandler, P.G. Wodehouse and Ernest Shackleton.

ing, copper working, gunpowder making, leather working and oil pressing. The Wandle’s abundant clean water was used by the dyeing, bleaching and calico printing industries, and other industries were brewing, malting, distilling, chemicals and hatmaking. The Ram Brewery existed by 1576 and closed in 2006. From the 1680s there was an important community of French Protestants, or Huguenots. The Surrey Iron Railway, from Wandsworth to Croydon, opened in 1802, run by the first railway company in the world, but closed in 1846. A station on the Richmond Railway opened near the current Wandsworth Town site in the same year. Wandsworth Prison opened in 1851. Suburban development accelerated in the 1860s and 1870s, and spread southwards. The twentieth century contributed King George’s Park, Council estates, the one-way system, the Wandsworth Shopping Centre and the first of the riverside flats.

Gujaratis in Balham and Tooting

The Borough of Wandsworth in South London is not one of Britain’s more renowned areas of migrant settlement, despite the fact that over 20 per cent of its residents

By Nitin Mehta MBE

Croydon is the largest London borough by population. It has an estimated population of 3,63,400 (2011 Census). That is more than the city of Leicester. If it was a city it would be the 8th largest in the UK. Croydon has been home to many famous people. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author and creator of Sherlock Homes, Top Shop Mogul Sir Philip Green and comedian Sir Ronnie Corbett lived in Croydon. Nish Kumar who is making a name on the national stage as a comedian is also from Croydon. Though Croydon has a reputation for being a concrete jungle, it has many beautiful parks. The Croydon Ecology Centre is spread out on acres of greenery and is an oasis of peace and tranquility. Croydon also has one of the biggest Gujarati communities in the country. Most of them arrived in the 1970s and worked in the factories and warehouses like Philips. Today most of the factories are gone and in their place there are car dealerships and mega stores like B&Q. The children of those early Indian settlers have achieved unprecedented success in many fields. There is a sea change in the demographics of Croydon. A huge number of nationalities now reside in Croydon, including

people from Poland, Lithuania, Romania and many other countries of Eastern Europe. It is fascinating to see how the businesses changed hands. In the seventies the Indian community replaced the local English people in running the corner shops and other small businesses. By the nineties the Tamils from Sri Lanka took over from the mainly Gujarati shopkeepers. Their arrival was a blessing for the Gujarati shopkeepers as they were able to sell the businesses and secure their retirement. It was assumed that Gujaratis were master businessmen but the Tamil community changed the concept of corner shops by transforming them into supermarkets. They have survived in spite of supermarket chains like Tesco which has opened smaller outlets everywhere. Increasingly now we are see-

people to be able to buy a house Croydon Town Hall and so they have to rent and are at the mercy of buyto-let landlords. Day Lewis, the largest chain of private pharmacies owned by Kirit Patel, has its headquarters in Croydon. A new generation of Indians also have settled in ing East European shops as Croydon in big numbers. well as Turkish shops and They are IT professionals, they are changing the face of bankers and engineers. They Croydon shopping areas. have brought with them the In the service industry vibrancy of Indian culture like restaurants, coffee bars and traditions. you will invariably be served Diwali is now celebrated by East Europeans. In the in Croydon High Street and building trade again it is the the Hare Krishna devotees East Europeans. They are hold the Lord Jagganath feshard working and cheaper! tival every year. Croydon will Motor bike riders delivering have its first Hindu school pizza or motor parts to starting in September 2016. garages are almost entirely It will be run by Krishna Brazilians! It is easy for Avanti Trust and anyone them to come to Portugal having a child between 3 and due to the common lan5 years can enrol. A brand guage. From Portugal as new shopping centre being European citizens they come built at a cost of £1.5. billion over to the UK! These new will open early next year. It arrivals also create a demand will also comprise 600 new for everyday consumables residential flats. which is very good news These are exciting times amongst other things for the for Croydon. The old motor car industry. A signifCroydon is transforming icant number of Indians into a new Croydon. Change have entered the buy-tois an eternal part of life, let market. Being canny nothing remains stagnant. businessmen they have We have to embrace change realized that it is almost while holding on to our core impossible for young values.

enced in East Africa through similar organisations set up by initial migrants from Dharmaj village in Gujarat. At present, there are around 1,400 families of Dharmaj descent residing in the UK.

National Association of Patidar Samaj

NAPS’ (Tooting) charitable objectives are – the advancement of the Hindu religion throughout the UK; the relief of poverty, sickness and distress; the advancement of education.

Shops & Charities

There are various business shops set up by Indians and other British Asians which are doing well in South London as well as several charities catering to the various British Asian communities.

S. London Eateries

South London is now home to many of the innovative and impressive chefs and its Indian restaurants cater to all tastes and budgets with an ever-increasing selection of innovative and interesting restaurants.

Greenwich

Greenwich is the one area in southeast London that draws tourists out from the centre in considerable numbers. At its heart is the outstanding architectural set piece of the Old Royal Naval College and the Queen’s House. Most visitors, however, come to see the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park. (Source: The Rough Guide to London – Merton Library & Heritage Service; Wikipedia; timeout.com; wandsworth.gov.uk; www.timeandleisure.co.uk; http://www.friendsoftootingcommon.org.uk/history.ht ml; https://books.google.co.uk;)

Temples and Mosques in South London South London is home to many beautiful temples of different faiths. To help you plan out your itinerary, here is a list of temples and mosques in South London.

• Sree Ganapathy Temple, Wimbledon: The Sree Ganapathy Temple, Wimbledon, opened its doors in 1981 as the first consecrated Hindu temple in Europe. While the temple performs all of the traditional functions of a Hindu temple, from religious services to birth, wedding, and death ceremonies, the site also adopts an expanded holistic approach. Visitors can partake in discussions by religious experts, philosophy talks, yoga & meditation classes, and health seminars. SW19 8PU • Wat Buddhapadipa, Wimbledon Wat Buddhapadipa was the first Buddhist temple ever to be built in London. SW19 5HJ • The South East Hindu Association temple, Woolwich (Greenwich), SE18 6ER • Greenwich Hindu Mandir, SE18 1ER • The Radha-Krishna Temple: The Radha-Krishna Temple in Balham is the most prominent Hindu institution in the Borough, one especially known to serve Gujaratis. The Radha-Krishna Temple was established in 1975 along with the Shyama Ashram. The former occupies the ground floor of a remodelled shop while the latter is on the first floor of the building. SW12 9AL • Hindu Society Centre, Wandsworth, SW17 0NP • Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Streatham, SW16 5JZ • SKS Swaminarayan Temple,

Radha-Krishna Temple

SE18 7RL • Sri Vel Murugan Temple, Lewisham, SE13 • Sri Sakthy Ganapathy Temple, Croydon, CR7 7JJ • Sivaskanthagiri Arulmigu Murugan Temple, Croydon, CR7 6BD • Sivayogam Muthumariamman Thirukovil, Tooting, SW17 7EJ • Sri Ranga Thiruppathy Arulmiku Astalakshmi Temple, Tooting, SW17 0RN • Jegatheeswaram Arulmihu Meenakshi Sunthareswar, Wimbledon, SW19 1AW • London Sivan Kovil Trust, Lewisham, SE13 5ES • Sikh Gurdwara, SW18 5SP • Gurdwara Sahib Woolwich, SE18 6QW • Khalsa Centre, Tooting Gurdwara, Tooting, SW17 7TW • South London Anglo-Indian Association, Croydon.

S. London Mosques

• Morden Mosque: The Baitul Futuh Mosque, also known as the Morden Mosque, is a mosque complex in Morden, London. It is Britain’s largest mosque, while some news reports credit it as being the largest mosque of western Europe. Completed in 2003 at a cost of approximately £15

million, the full complex can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers. It is located in the south-west London suburb of Morden, London Borough of Merton, next to Morden South railway station. • South London Islamic Centre, SW16 6NN • Wimbledon Mosque, SW19 8DS • The London Mosque, SW18 5QL • Balham Mosque, SW12 9AW • Islamic Culture & Education Centre, SW11 2NY • Masjid Uthman, Croydon, SE25 5JJ • Hyderi Islamic Centre, Streatham, SW16 5PQ • Greenwich Islamic Centre, SE18 7DW • Baitul Rahman Masjid, SE1 4NX • Idara-E-Jaaferiya, Tooting SW17 9PP • Masjid ul Qudus, Lambeth, SW9 6AT • Brixton Mosque & Islamic Cultural Centre, SW9 7PH • Croydon Mosque & Islamic Centre, CR7 6AR • New Peckham Mosque, Southwark, SE5 0HU • Camberwell Islamic Centre, Southwark, SE5 0ED • Baitul Aziz Islamic Cultural Centre, SE1 4JL • Brixton Mosque, Lambeth, SW9 6AT • Tooting Islamic Centre, SW17 7TJ • Greenwich Islamic Centre, SE18 7DW • Lewisham & Kent Islamic Centre, SE13 6NZ • Khatemun Nabiyeen Mosque, SW9 9HZ • Croydon Masjid & Islamic Centre, CR7 6AR

Entertainment in South London

Europe with a seating Cinema Hall: Besides capacity of up to 20,000 English, want to watch depending on the event. Hindi, Malaylam, Tamil Crystal Palace Park and Telugu movies, go to Boating Lake, Bromley: Cineworld London – There is so much to do Wandsworth. Multiplex with young children. cinema showing the latThere are the dinosaurs est international blockto visit, visitors can hire a busters in 2D and 3D pedalo to pootle past formats. them, plenty of photo Scale the O2: The opportunities there. O2 Arena is a multi purThe grass court tennis 10.30am-5pm pose entertainment tournament still attracts Open weekends. venue situated in visitors to Wimbledon. Meet the walrus at Greenwich, formerly the Horniman Museum: The present known as The Millenium Dome. It is museum in Lewisham opened in 1901 one of the largest indoor arenas in

and the 130-year-old over-stuffed walrus is still its star attraction! Go stargazing at the Royal Observatory: Visit the Royal Observatory Greenwich to stand on the historic Prime Meridian of the World, see the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and explore your place in the universe at London’s only planetarium. Birdwatching at London Wetland Centre: Venture out to leafy Barnes (Richmond) in the south-west and, as well as a picturesque landscape, there’s the opportunity to spot kites, sandpipers, kingfishers and more at London Wetland Centre.

BUSINESS

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Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

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EXCLUSIVE

UK universities issue statement in favour of JNU students' freedom of thought and expression

Rupanjana Dutta

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) unrest has caught international attention, especially in the UK universities who have issued a statement condemning the presence of police on campus and harassment of students on the basis of their political beliefs. Departments in universities as popular and renowned as Cambridge, Oxford, London School of Economics, and King's College have signed the statement, urging the Vice Chancellor of JNU to pro-

tect members of the university community and the freedom of expression and democratic dissent. The issued statement suggests, “Institutes and centres with dedicated faculty members engaged in teaching and research on India and South Asia in universities in the U.K. are watching with increasing concern the events that are unfolding at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, including the detention and suspension of students. “We see the police action on the JNU campus on February 12 2016 as a

Indian entrepreneur’s idea helps small businesses grow Entrepreneurship was where his heart belonged. This electrical engineer from IIT-Delhi, Saurav Chopra, was always looking for the right plan and the right partner to make it as an entrepreneur and things fell in place when Chopra, who is also an MBA from London Business School, met his business partner Chieu Cao, who had moved to the UK from Texas. According to a report in Financial Times, what interested the duo was finding ways to help small businesses grow and over time they realised that these firms often struggled to provide the employee benefits that large firms

Saurav Chopra

could access. The business they created, Perkbox, secures bulk deals with high street retailers, cinemas, restaurants and insurers to create employee benefits packages tailored to the needs of small businesses. Perkbox trebled sales last year.

A smartphone for £2.55 Ringing Bells, a Noida based company in India, has offered what it claims to be the world's cheapest smart phone for less than £3 a handset. The phone, Freedom 251, will run on Android and features 3G, a fourinch display, 8GB of internal storage and a camera on the front and back, has been on sale for Rs 251 (£2.55). It was available for booking for two days. The company said deliveries would start in June. The company behind it, Ringing Bells, has backed the product with a national advertising campaign. The phone, which will be made domestically in response to the prime minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” manufacturing push, will be pre-loaded with apps promoting government programmes. Ringing Bells said that the handset would initially cost about Rs 2,000 to manufacture and it hoped that economies of scale will help it make a profit. It is

not being subsidised by the state. India has more than a billion mobile phone subscribers, making it the world’s second-largest market after China, but many own basic handsets without internet access, particularly in the countryside. The company said it aimed to “empower citizens, even in the remotest rural and semi-urban centres of India, with the latest in digital technology at incredible affordable prices.” Critics have suggested that its business case does not add up. The Indian Cellular Association wrote to the telecoms minister arguing that it was not possible to sell a 3G phone below Rs 2,700, while an MP with the ruling party called it a scam.

direct attack on JNU’s internationally renowned tradition of critical thinking, dissent, scholarship, and debate. We stand beside the international scholars who have signed the 15 February 2016 statement in solidarity (http://kafila.org) with the students, faculty and staff of JNU. We condemn the presence of police on campus and the harassment of students on the basis of their political beliefs. We also note that the recent events at JNU are a further demonstration of the fact that universities have a duty of care to protect their

students, following on from the tragic suicide of Rohith Vemula at the University of Hyderabad. “An open, tolerant, and democratic society is inextricably linked to the freedoms of thought and expression cultivated by universities in India and abroad. We have long valued JNU for its critical imagination and critical scholarship, which have been nurtured by the plurality of political beliefs and activism on its campus. We urge the Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University to protect members of the uni-

versity community and the freedom of expression and democratic dissent which is a hallmark of JNU’s history and reputation globally. The list of the UK universities and their respective departments to have issued this statement in the UK are: • South Asia Institute, SOAS University of London • Centre for South Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh • King's India Institute, King’s College London • Gender Institute, London School of Economics

• Institute of Asia and Pacific Studies, University of Nottingham • Contemporary South Asian Studies Programme, School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies (SIAS), University of Oxford • Centre for South Asian Studies, University of Cambridge • School of I n t e r n a t i o n a l Development, University of East Anglia These UK universities have over the decades worked very closely with JNU and have given admission to many of JNU's bright students.

JNU issue ignites more violence in India From quota agitations to beef bans, India has quite the capacity for surrounding itself in controversies. The recently held cultural event at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, that captioned the students “anti-national” is heating up with each day, embroiled in violence and police triggered protests. Students from JNU earlier this month, organised a play on Afzal Guru, who was hanged in 2013 for his involvement in the 2001 Parliament attack. Event organisers had put up posters across the campus inviting students for a protest march against “judicial killing of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat” and to highlight the struggle of Kashmiri migrants. 'A Country without a Post Office' was set against the judicial killing of both the terrorist leaders portrayed through poetry, art and music. However, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad did not appreciate it and staged a protest demanding the expulsion of the organisers. University administration ordered a “disciplinary” inquiry and said the event organisers “went ahead without permission”. Videos from the event showed students shouting anti-India and pro-Pakistan slogans, however, the students who were part of the committee that organised the event said that none of them were part of the group that raised unpatriotic slogans. Things just got worse from the point as the Left seemed too adamant to punish anti-Indians. All those involved were charged on cases of sedition, lodged at Vasant Kunj police station. IPC Sections 124A (sedition), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (acts done by several persons with a common intention) was filed against several unknown students. The university also took action and barred eight students from

academic activity pending an inquiry. JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on February 11 on sedition charges after allegations that he was part of the group involved in raising shouting 'anti-national' slogans and put in three days of police custody. As students began to protest the arrest, Home Minister Rajnath Singh talked to Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi and released a statement saying “If anyone raises anti-India slogans and tries to raise questions on the country’s unity and integrity, they will not be spared.” He also alleged that JNU students had the backing of Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed. However, his statement was based “fake tweet” from an unverified Twitter account that is no longer in use. Meanwhile, students at the university gave a shutdown call, proclaiming that they will not allow classes to be held on the campus till Kumar is released. They were joined by teachers who said they would take classes on “nationalism” in the varsity lawns. The teachers had also rallied with the protesting students, questioning the administration's decision to allow the police crackdown on the campus even as they appealed to the public not to “brand” the institution as “anti-national”. When student agitation and name-calling was running deep, the Patiala

House courts witnessed major violence as a mob, beat up supporters of Kanhaiya Kumar. The attacks occurred on February 14, when Kumar was due to appear before metropolitan magistrate Loveleen and continued for over 45 minutes. Journalists and students bore the brunt as people clad in lawyers robes kicked and slapped anyone looking young and carrying a mobile phone. BJP MLA OP Sharma invited himself into a controversy as a video showed him beating up a CPI worker outside the court surfaced. Talking about the incident, he said, “As I was leaving the court I saw a man raising anti-India and proPakistan slogans. I lost my cool, like any patriot, and asked him to shut up. And when I turned, he attacked me with an object.” While he doesn't know what he was hit with, he said the people around him got “offended seeing the MLA being attacked” and started beating up the attacker. The Delhi police came under severe flak for their lack of action, even when there was proof of Sharma assaulting the worker. Sources said, “Sharma was questioned by a senior officer, but his statement was not recorded by police. During questioning, he told police that he was leaving the court premises when someone pushed him. He said he did not know who had pushed him. He said he fell down on one of the protesters and people started

beating him up.” Rahul Gandhi met President Pranab Mukherjee over the JNU row and the alleged targeting of students in various parts of the country. Accompanied by senior leaders and also the young MPs of the party, the Congress vice president highlighted the “lawlessness” in Delhi in the wake of Patiala House court attacks and the way the government was dealing with the JNU row. Day Two of the Patiala House court hearing was even worse as this time as Kanhaiya Kumar was bashed. The police did what it does best, play the silent spectator, as attackers hurled gravel and flowerpot piece at a six-member team of senior advocates, including Kapil Sibal. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said the law and order situation in the national capital was “fast deteriorating” and the Communist Party of India-Marxist demanded Bassi's removal following the “assault” on Kanhaiya Kumar. Bassi, however, maintained that the JNU student was not beaten up. The students' protest in the Capital mirrored in universities across the country as clashes were reported from Udaipur to Chennai, and Patna to Hyderabad. Thirty students were detained in Chennai for condemning Kumar's arrest, and scores of the All India Students Association and Youth Congress activists were held as they tried to carry out a march from BHU gate in Varanasi. Also, the Supreme Court declined to hear Kanhaiya's bail plea, asking him to approach the high court on the issue. It asked the high court to expeditiously deal with the bail plea but did not give any specific date for listing it. Kanhaiya Kumar will spend next few days in Tihar Jail as his petition for release is expected to be heard by Delhi High Court only next week.

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Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap A Property Investment Company

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REALESTATEVOICE Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

The One That Got Away

One of my colleagues had an interesting experience in the auction last week Thursday regarding a small one bedroom ex local flat in Chelsea on the first floor. Being a good old ex local it has a low service charge, long lease and a good square footage; 527 sq. ft. to be exact. As Indians we immediately spotted that’s too big for a one bedroom; it could be converted into a two bedroom property and the rental yield could be enhanced. The rental increase will be incidental, the real value believe it or not will be a rise in the value. We did this a few years ago on an ex-council duplex, it was purchased for £235k and we had offers of £350k after a split costing £7k was implemented. Our investor is a novice, this is the first time he’s dealing with us, his background is from the military. He sees the need to invest for his children and therefore London property is the obvious choice.

We ran the numbers and comparables etc., it looked good. We had agreed a top bid of £400k, secretly hoping to get it for less. It was worth £420k maximum. However the auction room had been infiltrated by first time buyers and novice ‘want to be’ investors. This was evident from the number of couples scattered around the room, sitting on the floor in the aisles and at the rear of the room. Coincidentally the person sitting next to my colleague was also going for the same property. He was on the phone to his partner, promising he would try and get this property. His enthusiasm was evident, when the lot came up he started bidding franticly, as if it was a race. His hand kept reaching for the skies whilst sitting on the edge of his seat. People have different ways of bidding. I usually wait for the dust to settle, let everyone max out and then come into the ring and start to bid, or not as the case may be. Why waste your breath if it goes past the price you are willing to pay. The property went past the £400k mark, past the £420k mark and then the deal was done at £490k. Yes, this is what an ex-council in Fulham is now ‘worth’, nearly £1,000 per sq. ft. Ludicrous I hear you say. But the market has spoken. There is a frenzy to purchase property especially around the £500k mark, driven in part by the stamp duty increase in April. In this scenario the search may have been instigated by this reason, but when you are dealing with these types of buyers the emotions soon take over and the crowd is whipped into a frenzy. A £12k hike in stamp duty does not account for this price.

Real Deal The

The property is almost designed for the novice investor, it’s in a well maintained block, with low out goings. You cannot go much wrong with a one bedroom in this location. Therefore, it is actually difficult to get a deal with this type of property given the crowd who are attending the auction houses currently. What we need are problems, properties where there are issues, from planning injunctions, to tenants who won’t let you in, to unknown tenancies. This will hopefully scare the others off. The other angle is to aim high, the high value stock naturally flushes out the amateurs. It will flush out the novice investor but there is a class of investor who wants to park their money and finds it actually difficult to find sizable stock to do so with. A block of three houses in W1 has just gone under offer at over £6m, the block is worth £5m in my opinion, at the top end; it only produces £180k of rental income. However, where is the comparison? If it’s too expensive find another set of three houses next to each other at this price in W1, this probably doesn’t exist. As expected our investor for the one bedroom was a little disappointed, however the auction was on Thursday and come Monday morning we had pulled another deal in for him. The contract is with the lawyer and he has gone to visit the lawyer for the Anti Money Laundering clearance. Yes, anyone, even if they serve the Queen and Country, could be a criminal and / or terrorist.

Lancaster Terrace, London, W2 Purchase Price: £550k l A light and spacious studio apartment in a very good location l Share of freehold l Portered block l Close to the open spaces of Hyde Park and Connaught Village l Properties in this location are being sold for around £1,340 per sq. ft. while this is coming in at around £1,220 per sq. ft.

This is a studio which we managed to secure off market for £350k. There was some tussle over £3k over the weekend, more about egos rather than price. But why should I back down? So come Monday we won the little tussle with which the agent supported us and won the contract. We realise the risk of an unexchanged contract sitting at the lawyer’s office and so will look to close the deal later on this week. Although the deal at the auction did not go through for the client, it gave him the impetus to move quickly on the deal we did manage to secure. His little flutter with the auction gave him a taste of how fast the London market moves. The increase in stamp duty in April has always been a motivating factor for this client. And hopefully by next week he will have exchanged on his first deal with Sow & Reap. We will be taking a mortgage product with no or short term redemption penalty with a view of refinancing and taking some money out at a later date, in order to facilitate doing the whole exercise again further down the road.

Call us now to secure this deal!

0207 993 0103

We provide a turnkey solution. Contact us now:

Specialists in

Central London Property Sourcing

info@sowandreap.co.uk

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27 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8HU

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Tips of the Week

l If you are planning to buy a property from the auction ensure you get a solicitor to read the paperwork very carefully.

l If you find a really good investment property don't rule out buying it before the auction. Many sellers will be happy to do a deal.

ASIANVOICE

Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

Consultant Editor Financial Voice Alpesh Patel

Dear Financial Voice Reader, I write to you as I get ready to leave for San Francisco. And my trip is going to be expensive. GBP has plunged against the USD. We are levels we’ve not seen in 16 years. So if you are holding USD you may

want to buy some Sterling. But what if you want to trade currencies. Last week I gave a full house, standing room only speech to a group of private investors, some even brought their children. This is clearly because of the EU issue and people want to know what it means for their pocket, but equally importantly, how to trade. Key points I made: 1. 90% of private investors lose money trading 2. You may see adverts for binary options – these are the ‘gamification of trading’ – to make trading like a casino and even more lose their money on those 3. If you want to take a view on say GBP getting stronger because it doesn’t stay this weak historically, then a tax free broker is best. 4. You should only trade through a UK regulated broker 5. Ideally your broker should also be listed on a stock market eg US or UK 6. Do not be fooled by a nice looking slick websites 7. Try to meet the broker 8. Never give more money to a broker who has not returned your money 9. Always trade with small sums eg 7p for every point a currency eg GBPUSD moves 10. Trading is not a get rich quick scheme It is shocking how many people have ‘lost their shirts’ trading through dodgy brokers. It is so easy for people to set up brokers and then advertise them and cause people to lose money. The best thing about trading is not the money, it is the little extra cash (most people I meet want to make just £500 per month) to give them freedom from credit card debt. Freedom is what people want. But learning anything takes time and patience. You cannot rush it. The more desperate you are, the more likely you will lose money. Enthusiasm is key, so is patience. You may think these surprising things to say from a trader, but I know the journey well and it worries me when I speak to the hundreds of people that I do each week how many don’t understand the basics. Other rules: 1. Never believe anyone who says they are right 9 times out of 10. Even a coin can have a winning streak 2. If you ask how often someone is right, and not how much money is made, then you are not ready to trade. Think about it. Get ready for more GBP fun in the months to come.

MPs call to relax Sunday trading laws A group of 200 MPs and council leaders has called for relaxing the rules on Sunday opening hours for shops in England and Wales. In a letter to the Sunday Telegraph, they wrote that increasing spending on Sundays would boost job prospects and help businesses compete with online firms. They backed government plans to devolve Sunday trading laws to local councils.

But what people forget is if the laws are relaxed, the businesses of small corner shops and small independent retailers will be affected. Who will compensate for that?

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Make in India Week racks up £152 bn in investment pledges AsianVoiceNews

The recently held six-day business expo, Make in India Week, has helped the government generate investment commitments worth £152 billion for the country, as per the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. Around 30 per cent of the commitments are foreign investment. Maharashtra has generated more than half the total tally, signing MoUs worth nearly £80 billion and expects to generate 3000,000. Within the state, the Konkan division, which includes the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, cornered the largest share of MoUs,

worth over £32.5 billion. Vidharbha and Marathwada generated MoUs worth £15 billion. Deals for western Maharashtra and Khandesh totalled £5 billion and £2.5 billion. However, the question is, how many of the commit-

ments would actually convert into projects? “We expect the conversion rate to be over 80 per cent in the next three years. These are investment commitments, which means preclearance work has been done,” said DIPP secretary Amitabh Kant. He also said

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that besides manufacturing, it also focussed on innovation and start ups, and created a platform where corporates, policymakers and politicians could converge. The largest multi-sector business fair in Asia, the Make in India Week was aimed at showcasing India's manufacturing sector. It generated 890,000 visitors across 102 countries, the DIPP said. It also played host to 20 foreign dignitaries, including two Prime Ministers. Other than that, the event saw the participation of over 9,000 Indian companies and over 2,000 foreign companies.

Lockheed ready to manufacture F-16 jets in India US fighter jet maker Lockheed Martin is ready to manufacture F-16 aircraft in India, and is in support of the ongoing talks between the two countries to set up the first manufacturing facility, which will become the biggest projects under the 'Make in India' initiative. Phil Shaw, chief executive of Lockheed Martin India Pvt Ltd, said, “We are ready to manufacture F-16 in India and support the Make in India initiative.” However, he did not commit to any time-frame to get the plant operational, saying the group supports the ongoing government-togovernment talks. Shaw also expressed a strong interest in having the F-16 ready “soon”. The company currently manufactures one

jet a month from its plant in the US and has a series of contracts and joint ventures in India with over 1,000 employees. It supplied six C13OJ Super Hercules planes to India in 2011 and will deliver six helicopters next year. Sources from the industry said Lockheed Martin's “wish to manufacture F-16 is based on the strong demand from the Indian armed forces and

would want to lower the cost of the planes for exports by using the low-cost capability in India.” A source said, “Certainly, Lockheed Martin would want to exploit the engineering skill and low cost capabilities in India and make F-16 very competitive in the fighter jet markets. Both the US government and Lockheed Martin see the advantage of

SC seeks list of big defaulters from RBI The Supreme Court has decided to act tough with those who have defaulted in repaying loans of over £50 million to public sector banks and financial institutions, and asked RBI to submit a list of such defaulters. A bench of Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justices R Banumathi and U U Lalit took strong exception to the prevailing banking atmosphere where “big corporate house owners have defaulted repaying billions of rupees taken as loan, yet enjoying their lives personally.” It wondered how public sector banks and financial institutions could advance such huge loans without clauses in the contract to ensure that the loan amount could be recovered easily in case of default. When the RBI counsel said information about defaulters was classified, the bench asked the central bank to submit the list in the form of an affidavit in sealed cover. The court's attention to big defaulters was drawn by advocate Prashant Bhushan, who had filed a petition more than a decade

ago highlighting the scam in Housing and Urban Development Corporation (Hudco) when the BJP-led NDA was in power. He said a similar approach continued as bad debts to public sector banks running into billions of rupees were written off every now and then. A newspaper had recently obtained data through RTI Act to report that 29 state owned banks had written of £11.40 billion of bad debt between financial years 2013 & 2015. The bad debts written off between 2004 & 2015 was £21.1 billion, the daily had reported. Bhushan also quoted from RBI governor Rajan's recent speech in Anand, Gujarat, where he said, “The sanctity of the debt contract has been continuously eroded in India in recent years, not by small borrowers but by the large borrowers. And this has to change if we are to get banks to finance the enormous infrastructure needs and industrial growth that this country aims to attain.” The court appeared to share Rajan's concern when he said, “The public believes

the large promoter makes merry because of sweet deals between him and the banker. While these views have gained currency because of recent revelations of possible corruption in banks. Who pays for this (writing off debts)? Clearly, the hard working savers and taxpayers of this country. As just one measure, the total write offs of loans made by the commercial banks in the last five years is £16.10 billion, which is 1.27% of GDP. Of course, some of this amount will be recovered, but given the size of the stressed assets in the system, there will be more write-offs to come.” Bhushan too agreed with Rajan's view and said the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) had in 2003 filed a petition seeking an independent probe into the affairs of Hudco in granting loans, making investments and providing credit facilities without adhering to the established procedure of law and without taking into account viability of projects and track record of borrowing organizations.

placing a manufacturing base in India and make F-16 affordable for emerging markets.” The making of the planes will be one of the biggest projects under the Make in India programme, and will be conditional to the Indian government making contractual commitment to buy the fighter jets for its armed forces. “Washington, in return, would ensure technology transfer to the Indian engineering sector and a huge boost to Indian exports,” he said. If the two government reach an agreement this year or 2017, putting aside all differences on the mega project and the US’ move to supply eight F-16 to Pakistan, Lockheed Martin could roll out the first made in India jet in 2019-2020, said the source.

PNB declares UB Holdings ‘wilful defaulter’ Days after United Breweries Holdings (UB Holdings) chairman Vijay Mallya bought a cricket team in the Caribbean Premier League, Punjab National Bank has declared UB Holdings as a “wilful defaulter.” State Bank of India had earlier declared UB as a defaulter. India's defaulting business barons are under pressure after the RBI prompted lenders to be proactive in tackling mounting bad loans. The Supreme Court asked the RBI for a list of companies that are in default of bank loans of more than £50 million, or whose loans have been restructured under corporate debt restructuring schemes. Eleven banks, led by the SBI, has an exposure of £620.3 million to Kingfisher. PNB has an exposure of £80 million and SBI £160 million.

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Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

What Britain wants from EU Paresh Davdra is the Dealing Director of RationalFX, Currency Specialists.

Dominating the headlines this weekend was news David Cameron has called for his referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU to take place on 23 June. Speaking from outside Downing Street, the prime minister said he had secured a good deal with Brussels to give the UK a special status and leaving the EU would “threaten our economic and national security”. Three key points to be taken from the deal surround Sovereignty, Migrant Benefits and Economic Governance. Firstly David Cameron has secured a commitment to exempt Britain from "ever closer union" to be written into the treaties. He has also negotiated the inclusion of a "red-card" mechanism, a new power. If 55% of national parliaments agree, they could effectively block or veto a commission proposal. Secondly, compromises were made on migrant benefits in the face of strong opposition from Poland and three other central European countries. He got the four-year "emergency brake" on inwork benefits he had set such store by, but new arrivals will have their tax credits phased in over four years. Mr Cameron failed in his original demand to ban migrant workers from sending child benefit

Foreign Exchange

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money back home. The UK government has already reached an agreement on out-of-work benefits. Newly arrived EU migrants are banned from claiming jobseeker's allowance for three months. If they have not found a job within six months they will be required to leave. The Council would authorise that Member State to limit the access of newly arriving EU workers to non-contributory in-work benefits for a total period of up to four years from the commencement of employment. Lastly, economic governance was tackled as Cameron won guarantees that countries outside the Eurozone, such as Britain, will not be required to fund euro bailouts and will be reimbursed for central EU funds used to prop up the euro. The cabinet formally agreed to campaign to stay in despite several ministers openly supporting a Brexit with Boris Johnson a high profile supporter of leaving the EU. Our Justice secretary Michael Gove has said that the European Union is encouraging extremism across Europe as he joined five other cabinet ministers in breaking ranks with David Cameron to campaign to take Britain out of the EU. In other news Inflation edged

up to its highest rate for a year last month as rises in the price of alcohol and clothing pushed up the cost of living. The consumer prices index rose to 0.3% in. Alcohol and tobacco rose by 1.3%, The Office for National Statistics said inflation also rose as fuel and food prices dropped less than they did a year ago. But despite the rise in CPI, the Bank of England predicts inflation will remain far below the government’s 2% target for some time yet. The jobless rate in the U.K. held steady at a ten year low in December, while the average earnings index increased in line with expectations. The Claimant Count (the number of people who are receiving benefits) fell by 14,800 in January, compared to expectations for a decrease of 3,000 people, and following a drop of 15,200 a month earlier. The USD reached Seven year highs against the GBP at 1.4055 on Monday 22nd following news of a Brexit referendum to take place on 23rd June The Federal Reserve minutes earlier in the week supported a growing view that the Fed would back away from a signal it sent in December about possibly raising

rates four times this year due to the recent slowdown in global growth and steep stock market drops. Federal Reserve policy makers debated their outlook for interest rates last month expressed concern that the fall in commodity prices and the rout in financial markets increasingly posed risks to the U.S. economy. Data revealed later in the week revealed US inflation continued to climb in January to a rate of 1.4 per cent opening the door for further interest rate hikes later this year. The figure revealed rising rents and medical costs lifted inflation to beat forecasts. This will abate fears that the Federal Reserve increased rates prematurely in December ahead of a period of market volatility and weaker global economic data. Solid labour market indicators, including strong payroll growth and healthy growth in real disposable income suggest that underlying US economic fundamentals remain sound. The Euro took a back seat this week following President Mario Draghi speech on Monday 22nd which signalled potential that further monetary policy easing is likely in March saying the ECB is ready to do its part.

Weekly Currencies As of Tuesday 23rd February 2016 @ 4.40pm GBP - INR = 96.53

USD - INR = 68.54 EUR - INR = 75.56 GBP - USD = 1.40 GBP - EUR = 1.27

EUR - USD = 1.10 GBP - AED = 5.17

GBP - CAD = 1.94

GBP - NZD = 2.11

GBP - AUD = 1.95

GBP - ZAR = 21.43

GBP - HUF = 392.73

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Pathankot attack: Pak file FIR against unidentified persons AsianVoiceNews

Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

ISLAMABAD: Officials said an FIR has been lodged by Pakistani authorities, into the Pathankot terror attack case, weeks after probe into the assault that led to the postponement of IndiaPakistan foreign secretarylevel talks. Registered at counterterrorism department centre in Gujranwala in Punjab province, the FIR was needed to start police and judicial proceedings on the basis of evidence collected in connection with the attack for which India has blamed Pakistanbased Jaish-e-Mohammed militant group. India has

identified Maulana Masood Azhar as the mastermind of the attack, and also blamed his brother Rauf and five others for the attack that killed all six terrorists along with seven Indian soldiers. FIR number 06/2016 has been lodged under sections 302, 324, and 109, of the Pakistan Penal Code, and sections 7 and 21-1 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The Pathankot incident effectively postponed the much anticipated meeting between foreign secretaries of both the countries in January in Islamabad. Since then, no date has been fixed for talks. The

All entries and nominations must be received before midnight on 29 March 2016.

Finalists will be announced in May 2016.

NOMINATIONS OPEN NOW!

Are you a UK Based Charity who seeks to solve the most pressing social issues of our time, both in Britain and globally? Nominate yourself for the Asian Voice Charity Awards 2016 by visiting our website www.asianvoicecharityawards.com

Abdulla Yameen

Abdulla, head of an Islamist party, has undone their work. He also was charged with terrorism for a speech at a rally in last May in support of Nasheed - even though he used it to call for calm. Officials who blame Nasheed for all the trouble were not willing to explain how $79m disappeared from the state tourism body. Yameen’s former vice-president, Ahmed Adeeb, has been arrested for that, as well as for an explosion on the president’s yacht. The opposition alleges that Yameen is implicated in the tourism scandal, as well as in an alleged money-laundering scheme involving the central bank. With outside pressure growing, the president, who denies any wrongdoing, has not much options open.

Pak stabbed Vajpayee in the back: Nawaz Sharif NEW DELHI: Going out of his way to reach out to his neighbouring country, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said India was justified in believing that its then prime minister A B Vajpayee had been stabbed in the back by Pakistan in 1999 with the Kargil misadventure. “Vajpayee once told me that he had been stabbed in the back with the Kargil misadventure because it came soon after the Lahore Declaration. I told him I would have said the same thing if I were in his place,”

FIR also shows the telephone numbers contacted by the militants during the attack. A police official said that after the FIR, any accused can be presented before the court for start of a formal trial. Intelligence officials said about a dozen suspects were arrested in Pakistan after the attack. The FIR has reportedly been registered on the recommendations of a sixmember special team probing the attack. Last month, CTD police Gujranwala had presented three JeM militants before an AntiTerrorism Court (ATC) for possessing jihadi literature.

Nomination deadline

Now, Maldives president facing political storm MALE: The Maldives president Abdulla Yameen is facing a political storm now. The jailing this week of a former ally and questions about missing money are the new issues haunting him. One reason for Yameen’s troubles is Mohamed Nasheed, the first democratically elected president, who was ousted in what was in effect a coup in 2012. Nasheed was jailed after overblown charges were levelled against him. But foreign pressure recently secured his passage to London for medical treatment. There he has loudly highlighted his country’s democratic shortcomings. Nasheed is supported by a high-profile lawyer, Amal Clooney, who has helped strengthen the backing of Britain’s prime minister, David Cameron, for the cause of Maldivian democracy. The islands’ government is furious with Nasheed. Ministers have come to London to prevent the Commonwealth from suspending the Maldives’ membership and to fight off European calls for targeted sanctions unless political prisoners are freed and a deal reached with the opposition. But the 12-year sentence handed down on February 17 to Imran

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said Sharif at a rally in Muzaffarabad. “But who do I complain to about it now. People of India and Pakistan are alike, except for the border in between. We pray to the same God. We both cherish Aloo Gosht.” This is not the first time Sharif blamed Musharraf for Kargil. The recent comments come at a time when both countries find themselves tied to start the comprehensive bilateral dialogue, which they had announced in December, last year.

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This award recognises a UK-registered charity for their outstanding work and contribution to society, as well as demonstrated excellence service and achievement in its work over the last five years. There is are no criteria on the annual income, but the charity must demonstrate consistently delivered outstanding service for their size and yearon-year-growth I Start-Up of the Year This award is similar to Charity of the Year, but specifically for charities that have been operational for three years or less.

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This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated dedication, professionalism and integrity throughout their career, and who has produced an identifiably profound effect on the sector in the UK or otherwise through their work and management over at least a 15-year period.

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This award recognises excellence in charity PR, either in-house at a charity, or an agency undertaking a PR campaign on behalf of a charity. Benefits of the specific PR campaign must be proven to show extensive press and media coverage in the last 12 months.

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This award recognises the best corporate partnership and corporate responsibility programmes. It honours a company which goes beyond simply CSR projects to engage in partnerships in the last two years with either UK-registered or international charities, social enterprises or unincorporated charitable projects, to demonstrate quantifiably positive impact to the community. The partnership should demonstrate significant positive outcomes and impact, as well as innovation in its approach

I Consultancy of the Year

This award recognises a consultancy firm that has demonstrated a real commitment to the sector and sector organisations in its work, showing a real worth

in sharing its expertise during the last 12 months. The work could take a range of forms: such as on the overall strategic direction of a charities, advisory services for philanthropy, social impact assessments, M&A activity, change management, leadership and development, business planning for charities and social enterprises. It could also relate to work not for one organisation, but more widely, such as thought leadership that has driven positive change in the sector.

I Investment Management Award

This award recognises excellence in the professional services offered to the sector, showing evidence of real quantifiable investment returns, especially within the last 12 months, but also within a wider timeframe context, and show a real understanding of the investment needs of charities, with which they work.

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Allegations mar President Museveni's win for 5th term

AsianVoiceNews

KAMPALA: In a seemingly fateful election result, Yoweri Museveni has won his fifth term as Ugandan president. While gun-toting police and soldiers dominated the centre of the capital, Opposition leader Kizza Besigye who lost for the fourth time, denounced the results from the confines of his house arrest. Museveni defeated his competitors with 60.8 per cent of the vote, lower than his 68 per cent in 2011. Social media and mobilemoney services were blocked as the electoral process began. A fairly disorganised event, voters who waited since 7 in the morning were calm, yet angry as the ballot papers didn't arrive at many polling stations in Kampala and other districts. Voting was extended to the next day in some areas, when the vote count was already in the works. Supporters of Besigye's Forum for Democratic Change said the result was “stolen”. The Opposition leader was arrested at the party headquarters by police firing tear gas, before he could address the media about the results. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, head of the Commonwealth Sudhir Ruparelia - Chairman, Ruparelia Group of Companies “The people of Uganda have voted the government of NRM in power and spoken as seen on the television by the results. Government has done a great job of protecting all the properties of all the Ugandans and no looting has taken place. The future of Ugandan Asians in Uganda is good as the Government recognizes the positive Investors who are

team of election observers said the vote delays and other problems “seriously detracted from the fairness and credibility of the results.” Calling foul play, US State Department said, “Delays in the delivery of voting materials, reports of prechecked ballots and vote buying, ongoing blockage of social media sites, and excessive use

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Yoweri Museveni

of force by the police, collectively undermine the integrity of the electoral process.” The EU observer mission said that the election was undertaken in an “intimidating atmosphere” and that the election commission, appointed by the president, lacked independence and transparency. Besigye urged the international community to challenge the outcome. “Should you ratify the results of these sham elections, at least have the courage to admit that you do not care about democracy or human rights in Africa,” he said. He also called on his supporters to continue protests over his detention. Not shaken by the criticism he received from the international community, a revelling Museveni said, “I don’t need

mainly Indians and also 60% of all the taxes are contributed by Ugandan Asians.” lectures from anybody. Those Europeans are not serious.” He also warned the Opposition that violent response to the election results would not be taken lightly. “We shall use both soft and hard means to guard the peace in Uganda. By soft means, I mean talking to the youth, who these criminal politicians try to use. But also

Lord Popat, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Uganda and Rwanda “Uganda has taken huge strides in recent years under President Museveni’s leadership. There is huge potential for Uganda to grow economically, democratically and socially, and I very much look forward to working with the newly-elected Government in delivering more prosperity to both our nations. Last year Uganda rose from 135 to 122 in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index and is helping to lead the way on regional integration in East Africa. With their focus – and Britain’s expertise – on both the energy and infrastructure markets, we have a real possibility to work Jaffer Kapasi, OBE Accountant and Business Advisor , J A Kapasi & Co Limited “H E President has been leading the country for 30 years and election result has been overwhelming victory by 62% and full and complete endorsement. I believe the election has followed the democratic process to the full. President Museveni has always been trying to woo the Uganda Asian business community back. He has been to Neasden temple followed by two visits to Leicester. To endorse his commitment, he appointed H E Nimisha Ben Madhvani, High Commissioner to India and now to France/Spain. Madhvani family have reinvested to mega level in Uganda followed by Mehta

we can use non-lethal but tough methods to deal with any troublemakers.” He had blocked Twitter, Facebook and Whatsapp, prompting retaliation from his rivals who have used social media for campaigning. Unapologetic of his measures, he had justified his ways on ground of national security. “Some people misuse

28 killed as cyclone hits Fiji SUVA: At least 28 people were killed when cyclone Winston hit the former British colony Fiji last week. More than 150 houses were destroyed in its Eastern region alone, which consists of Kadavu Province, Lau Province, Lomaiviti Province and Rotuma, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). "Homes have been destroyed, many low-lying areas have been flooded," Voreqe Bainimarama, the Fijian Prime Minister, said in a statement. "In the aftermath of this great tragedy, many are without power and access to water and are

cut off from communication." "This is a time of sorrow, but it will also be a time of action. We will stand united in the face of this disaster," he added. Officials warn that the death toll would definitely rise as more reports pour in. Around 80 per cent of the country's population have been left without power and all schools have been closed until further notice, as many

are being used as evacuation centres. Aid workers admitted that they had no idea of the full extent of the damage, which toppled trees, flooded streets and destroyed metal sign posts. Save the Children Fiji chief Iris Low-McKenzie said it was too early to assess the full extent of the damage, though the number of houses destroyed is reportedly in the thousands. "I'm especially concerned about the remote communities in outlying areas that we haven't been able to contact. Until communications are re-established and we assess the damage, we won't know the full extent of the damage."

together to create a new generation of economic opportunities. Whenever I see friends who do business in Uganda they are very complimentary about the economic changes happening there, and I want to ensure it is British goods and services that Ugandans are using for decades to come.”

WORLD Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

In Brief

Virat Kohli's Pakistani fan's bail plea dismissed

LAHORE: A Pakistani court has dismissed the bail plea of 22 year old Umar Draz, who was arrested on treason charges for hoisting the Indian flag atop his house. An avid fan of ace Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, Draz now faces an imprisonment of up to 10 years for hoisting the Indian flag at his house in Okara district in Punjab province. The accused's counsel Aamir Bhatti said, “We are disappointed and will challenge the decision in the session's court.”

Indian-origin student’s charity honoured in US

NEW YORK: An eighth-grade student of Indian-origin has been honoured in Hartford, US, for his efforts to help underprivileged students in the US and around the world with his charity organisation. Ishaan Patel, founder of Planting Pencils, was recently honoured by the Milan Cultural Organisation during the Republic Day celebration in the legislative office building in downtown Hartford. President of Milan Cultural Organisation, Suresh Sharma said, “The goals of our organisation are to let the values of our culture and heritage contribute to the strength of America, and for us to all be productive participants in the civic and social issues of the bigger community.” Sharma and directors of the organisation were impressed with the teenager's efforts to tackle global education problems.

Hindu head priest hacked to death in Bangladesh

Group, Aga Khan and many more Indian companies. Mumtaz Kassam is the ambassador to Italy. I have been given the task to attract more investment from the Midlands. Uganda is ripe for investment and hope to lead another trade delegation to Uganda. Ugandan motto for God & my country.” those pathways. You know how they misuse them; telling lies. If you want a right then use it properly,” he said. Amnesty International condemned his censorship as a “blatant violation of Ugandans' fundamental rights to freedom of expression and to seek and receive information”.

DHAKA: A Hindu head priest in Bangladesh was hacked to death by suspected Islamists wielding a gun and a cleaver at a temple, in the latest attack on religious minorities in the country. Over three motorbike-borne unidentified assailants pelted stones at the house of 50-year-old Jajneshwar Roy in the Santagourhiyo Temple in northern Panchagarh district. “They first hurled stones at the temple which prompted him to come out to see what actually happened. The killers then pounced on him and slit his throat,” said a devotee. Two devotees were also injured as the suspects fled the scene, firing gunshots and hurling crude bombs to avoid being chased.

Indian-origin Sikh appointed Kuala Lumpur police chief

KUALA LUMPUR: In the highest police rank achieved by a Sikh in Malaysia, an Indian-origin Sikh officer has been appointed Kuala Lumpur's Commissioner of Police. Amar Singh will replace Tajuddin Mohamed, who will take up as the deputy director of commercial CID, on March 14. Singh was deputy director of CID when his new appointment was announced.

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Naidu to get roof-top helipad at new secretariat Asian Voice | 27th Februay 2016

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will get a roof-top helipad at the proposed secretariat complex at Velagapudi village in the upcoming capital city Amaravati. This is the first time an Indian CM will have a helipad above his office chambers. The office at the temporary secretariat is being planned in a way that Naidu can simply get out of the copter and walk into his chambers. Officials said the roof-top helipad N Chandrababu Naidu

10 Oppn MLAs in TN to join AIADMK CHENNAI: Ten opposition MLAs, including eight from Captain Vijayakanth’s DMDK, resigned as legislators on Sunday. The resignations came a day after the last day of the last session of Tamil Nadu’s 14th Assembly. With eight of his MLAs resigning, DMDK leader Captain Vijayakanth lost the leader of opposition status. In a statement, Assembly secretary A M P Jamaluddin said no party was now qualified for the post of leader of opposition as all had lost the minimum required strength of 24 MLAs. All these MLAs, however, had been supporting AIADMK for nearly two years in the Assembly and a formal resignation was needed for them to join the party. The resignations come a day after Vijayakanth and his wife Premalatha had launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa during a rally in Kancheepuram. The DMDK MLAs who resigned are K Pandiarajan (the legislator from Virudhunagar), C Arun Pandian (Peravurani), S

The construction of the landing site is estimated to cost at about £100,000, and the government will not pay extra money to the firm for creating the helipad and related facilities. It will be linked to the chief minister's chambers through a lift. “Necessary permissions will be obtained in due course,” said officials. Naidu during his last stint as the chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh had planned to heli-hop from his residence in Jubilee Hills to the secretariat, six km away.

PMK to contest TN assembly poll alone

Michael Royappan (Radhapuram), T Sundararajan (Madurai West), Tamil Azhagan (Tittagudi), T Suresh Kumar (Chengam), M Arun Subramanian (Tiruttani) and R Santhi (Senthamangalam). M Kalaiarasan, who had won the Anaicut seat on a PMK ticket, also submitted his resignation along with A Ramasamy of the Puthiya Thamizhagam party. While Vijayakanth himself had suspended seven rebel MLAs from the party’s primary membership in June 2013 after they voted against party candidate A R Elangovan in the Rajya Sabha election, there were also incidents of DMDK MLAs and dissidents exchanging blows in the Assembly.

name of the state president under whom the party would contest the 2017 assembly elections. The term of present state party chief Kamal Sharma has already expired and experts opine that the name of the next state party president would signal which way the BJP is headed. The other names doing the rounds for state party chief are Tarun Chugh and Ashwani Sharma, but if the party is keen on projecting a Sikh face, then Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, the vice president of the state unit, could be their choice, as the BJP would like to show their secular face and at the same time garner the votes of the Jat Sikh community, which is dominant in the rural areas of Punjab. Former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has also reportedly put his hat in the race for state party president, but some central BJP leaders seem to be wary of endorsing him because of his hit and run' style of politics.

S Ramadoss

ERODE: The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has said it would contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections “independently” and there won't be any “last minute change” to the party's decision. PMK founder S Ramadoss addressed reporters saying, “We have no second thoughts... will contest independently and there will be no last minute change in our decision.” The party will release the candidate list for all 234 seats at an 'apt' time, he said. PMK had contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as a part of the BJP-led NDA. Initially resolved to forge an alliance for the state elections, it later changed its stand in September, saying it would

contest alone. The party also announced its youth wing chief and Ramadoss' son Anbumani Ramadoss as its 'chief ministerial candidate' but later said parties which accepted it as the leader of the alliance, are welcome to join hands. It also had recently offered to give 'deputy chief minister post' to the BJP, if the party-led alliance came to power. Ramadoss said PMK would contest all 234 seats on its own and emerge victorious in at least 120 constituencies, and form the government. When asked if the party would change its stand again, he said it was firm on contesting alone and there would be no change in the last minute.

'BetiBachao, BetiPadhao' kicks off well in Punjab NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development's 'BetiBachao, BetiPadhao' scheme has kicked off well in several districts in Punjab, as per the PMO office. Launched in Jalandhar, Mansa, Faridkot, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Moga, Ropar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Nawanshehar, the success of the project in the state can be estimated with the fact that the PMO in a recent post on its website singled out Punjab for special praise. The initiative has apparently received great response, and in a backward district like Mansa, with a skewed sex ratio, more than 70 students have already gotten a chance to spend one day with a professional, to see them function in a professional environment, helping them make better decisions about their

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Hair worth £10,000 stolen

VISHAKHAPATNAM: Unidentified people stole 10 bags of 'special grade' human hair worth £10,000 from Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Simhachalam in Andhra Pradesh. Preliminary probe suggested the role of insiders, said DCP G Ram Gopal Naik. Thousands of devotees visit the temple every day and offer their hair to the deity. The staff then collects the hair and segregates them as per length and quality, and later, auction it. A temple official said around 15 bags were stored in a room near the centre of which 10 bags were missing. The thieves entered the store room from the terrace, using a rope.

Jaya announces free bus travel for senior citizens

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has announced free travel for senior citizens over the age of 60, from February 24. Making a statement in the state Assembly, the CM said with the implementation of the scheme, the AIADMK government has fulfilled all the promises it made in the 2011 election manifesto. She said the initiative would be implemented on a pilot basis in Chennai and later expanded after studying the response. Those over the age limit, could apply for tokens at designated bus depots.

Kerala's Kannur airport to be operational in Sept

Vijayakanth

BJP unit in Punjab wants to end ties with Akalis AMRITSAR: BJP leaders in Punjab are not happy with electoral alliance with the Prakash Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and wanted to end in the runup to the 2017 state assembly polls. The senior leaders in Punjab reportedly told party president Amit Shah to seriously consider snapping ties with SAD. Sources in the BJP state unit said that this view was conveyed to Shah during a meeting in New Delhi. They were reportedly of the unanimous view that the BJP needs to end its "marriage" with the SAD and project itself as a party with a clean image and should let the SAD take full blame and responsibility for the problems that the state was experiencing. Shah is reportedly scheduled to meet Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal later. Shah has to also decide the

will help him reach the airport at Gannavaram, about 50 km away, without any disruption to the heavy traffic in Vijayawada. AP Capital Region Development Authority commissioner N Srikanth said, “We are finalising the plan for the chief minister's office including the helipad.” There will be six buildings in all. A block of them will be used exclusively for the chief minister's office. Above it the helipad will be spread over 2,000 sq ft and the area will be expanded if required.

In Brief

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future career choice. The Mansa administration, with its 'Udaan-Live your Dream for One Day' scheme, is inspiring its girls to be educated, the PMO said in its post. Mansa has one of the poorest sex ration in the country at 883 females per 1,000 men, and a 30 per cent school drop out rates. The literacy rate among females in Mansa is just 55 per cent against Punjab's average of 71 per cent. Over 400 young girls lined up to shadow a police or IAS officer for a day, in Mansa, and was duly commended by the Prime Minister's Office.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala will have one more international airport at Kannur. The Director General of Civil Aviation has given clearance and a defence aircraft will touch down at the airport on February 29, Kerala minister K Babu said. The commercial operations of the airport will begin in September. Babu has been given the responsibility of overseeing the construction of the airport from the beginning. The airport has been built in record time. The airport costing £189.2 million will have a 3,400-metre runway which will be extended to 4,000 metres in the second phase, Babu said.

Akali Dal wins Khadoor Sahib by-poll

CHANDIGARH: Ruling Akali Dal candidate Ravinder Singh Brahmpura has won the bypoll to Khadoor Sahib assembly seat by defeating his rival and independent candidate Bhupinder Singh by a margin of 65,664 votes. The by-poll was held as the seat fell vacant after Congress MLA Ramanjit Singh Sikki resigned in protest against sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib last year. The Congress had “boycotted” the polls saying the issue on which Sikki had resigned was still unresolved.

Another Sena leader shot at

JALANDHAR: Yet another Shiv Sena leader was shot at in Jalandhar, making him the second party member to be attacked in the state. Deepak Jalandhari, Sena's Jalandhar president, was on his way to pick his children up from school when two assailants on a bike opened fire at him near the Shiv Jyoti Public School in Deen Dayal Upadhyay Nagar. Jalandhari took a bullet in his leg. He was soon rushed to a private hospital and is said to be out of danger.

AAP poster sparks row

CHANDIGARH: A poster showing Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale along with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other Aam Aadmi Party members had surfaced, urging people to celebrate Bhindranwale's birthday. Written in Punjabi, the message on the poster said, “On February 12, the AAP will observe the birth anniversary of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. On this day, all party workers should visit the Gurdwaras and pledge to walk the path shown by Sants.” It also said the poster was issued by the AAP, Punjab, and “Bhindranwale, a lion. We will fulfil your dream.” Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh accused the AAP of “engaging in disruptive and destabilising tactics for short term political gains that could create anarchy.”

INDIA Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

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THE SPIRIT OF MAHATMA

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

Dr Rizwan Kadri

Dr Rizwan Kadri is a young historian known for his research on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Dr Kadri is currently working as an Associate Professor in Shree Swaminarayan Arts College, Ahmedabad. He is also a Ph.D. (History) guide in Gujarat University and Raksha Shakti University. During his academic career Dr Kadri has won many awards such as the ‘Gujarat University Gold Medal’, ‘Sanskar Award’, Jawaharlal Memorial Fund, New Delhi, Meritorious Prize. He is also known for his inspiring lectures, particularly on the Indian Freedom Struggle and Sardar Patel which made him very popular among the scholars as well as common people. In his English translation “The Spirit of Mahatma” Dr Kadri has added a new perspective to the relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and his personal secretary Mahadev Desai, who was like a son to him. Dr Kadri chanced upon this very valuable source of information while going through the file preserved in the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi. Asian Voice will be publishing Dr Kadri's translation in a series from 20th to 26th February issue.

oth knew about the difficulties. At that time Mahadev was an employee of a cooperative bank with a good salary. I wasn’t sure if he would come to the Ashram leaving the job (3-11-1943). Though Mahadev did not join along with Narhari, he kept contact with the Ashram. Kaka Kalelkar had already joined. Narhari has almost completed a year after joining during the same period when I returned to the Ashram from Champaran,

Mahadev expressed his strong desire to join the Ashram. I needed someone like Mahadev. Mahadev was fully ready now. I told him that if he joined, he would have to come to Champaran and that I could not tell for how long we would have to remain there. He said, “I have no conditions. Once I join, you can use my services in whatever manner you want.” “What about Durga?” “She follows me faithfully. We have no difference of opinion about

this. I have not made up my mind without giving it a full thought. I just hope that I shall be able to give you complete satisfaction.” And, thus he joined the Ashram and was ready to come to Champaran. From that day on till his death, Mahadev remained with me with full dedication and sincerity. The ways of God are unpredictable. It was Mahadev who was to write

Part - II

my memories, but he opted for eternal sleep on my lap. And now it is me who is writing his memories. It was a premature death. That is how people would describe it. But the fact is no death is premature.

Every life is a debt which everyone has to live till the debt is not cleared. We cannot understand or explain every death. For Mahadev I can say that he fully paid up all his debts. He has not seen day or night after he joined the Ashram. Consistent work was the only ‘Mantra’ of his life, and the work that Mahadev did was Service, in terms of the Bhagvad Gita ‘Yagna’, a Mission. This time he spent six days in the temple of prison but these days were spent in consistent work. Generally when a Satyagrahi is jailed, in a way he is able to enjoy a little rest. But how could that be for Mahadev? I had to write letters to the Bombay Government and the Viceroy. It is not easy to write such letters. The draft letters to the Viceroy had become a serious topic of discussion. There were two or three versions and each drew criticism. The burden of making copies also was on Mahadev. He too had made several suggestions. Mahadev was deeply concerned and worried about my fasts. What if the Viceroy’s reply gives certain indication? On one hand he had full faith that I would decide to undertake a fast only if there was inspiration from within or

Dr Rami Ranger CBE Centre for Graduate Entrepreneurship hosts first Annual Enterprise Lecture The Dr Rami Ranger CBE Centre for Graduate Entrepreneurship at the London South Bank University (LSBU) held its First Annual Enterprise Lecture on 4th February 2016 at the institute’s Keyworth Centre to showcase the work done by the centre since it was inaugurated in 2014. Key speakers at the lecture were the Rt. Hon Keith Vaz MP, Member of Parliament for Leicester East and Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee; Professor Patrick Bailey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of LSBU; Mr Gurpreet Jagpal, Director of Research, Enterprise and Innovation at LSBU and Dr Rami Ranger CBE, Chairman of Sun Mark Ltd. and Sea Air and Land Forwarding Ltd. The distinguished guests included prominent members of the business community, budding entrepreneurs and lecturers and students from the University who came together to hear the story of one man’s journey from a truly humble start in life in a refugee camp in newly partitioned India to an international business icon. Professor Patrick Bailey, Deputy ViceChancellor of LSBU welcomed guests and speakers to the lecture and spoke of enterprise engagement

Dr Rami Ranger CBE speaking about his entrepreneurial journey

being at the heart of the institute’s mission adding that the university has the largest number of employer sponsored students outside the Open University. Mr Gurpreet Jagpal, Director of Research, Enterprise and Innovation at LSBU, chaired the lecture and showcased the work done at the Centre for Graduate Entrepreneurship and the ways in which the money from the Dr. Rami Ranger CBE Enterprise Excellence Fund was being put to use such as the hiring of Entrepreneurs in Residence who coach and mentor graduate entrepreneurs at the centre. He then spoke about the projects the centre is working on such as an investment fund that will aid graduate entrepreneurs with capital they need when they launch their business. Mr Jagpal then gave an

that too in a L o n d o n University in front of an august gathering. The Rt. Hon Keith Vaz MP, Member of Parliament for Leicester East and Chairman Mr Gurpreet Jagpalgive an insight into of the Home the work of the Dr Rami Ranger CBE Affairs Select Centre for Graduate Entrepreneurship C o m m i t t e e , while Professor Patrick Bailey and Rt. spoke about the Hon Keith Vaz MP listen to him speaking rising number of along with present guests new start-ups insight in the life of Dr Rami over the past few years, Ranger CBE and shared many people are opting for parts of his autobiography, enterprise to create their “From Nothing to own wealth and using their Everything”. with guests. ideas do something differDr Rami Ranger CBE, ent. He then spoke about Chairman of Sun Mark Ltd. the qualities that are central and Sea Air and Land to being a successful entreForwarding Ltd, took guests preneur: being committed, through his entrepreneurial trusting and trustworthy; journey where he has having the ability to lead, demonstrated that one does delegate and communicate not need an elite education effectively and having the or family wealth to be sucability to marry together cessful but rather needs five skills and experience to be simple qualities: selfsuccessful. He closed by sayrespect, work ethics, coming “it is within you” to be a mitment, vision and empasuccessful entrepreneur. thy. He spoke of his passion The main part of the lecto help entrepreneurialism ture was followed by a quesflourish and added that he tion and answer session never could have imagined a when the attendees were day when he would witness given an opportunity to put a lecture after his own name questions directly to Dr being delivered by a great Ranger. The afternoon conicon of the Asian and British cluded with an appetizing community, Mr Vaz and lunch for all of the guests.

through the will of God, while on the other hand his love for me would upset him whenever there was a talk of my fasting. Mahadev understood well that he should not get agitated thus, but how could he win over his own caring nature? The echoes of the fast were already being felt outside the jail, and I was also somewhat anxious as I was not getting any clear inspiration. Mahadev would try constantly not to let that happen. I had frequently heard his exclamation that he preferred to die rather than see me fasting once again. And that is what happened. A day before his death, i.e. on 6th August 1942 (14th August), the letter to the Viceroy was sent, and on the morning of 16th (15th), Mahadev breathed his last. It was a Saturday. After he had come to the temple of prison, Mahadev could not somehow sleep properly. He also could not take the morning walk with me. However, on that Saturday, he bathed early in the morning and prepared lovely toasts for Sarojinidevi and others. He had made the toaster with a wire-mesh which he had proudly showed to me. He prepared the toast with much love. When he joined me for the walk he said, “I am feeling very nice today.

I slept peacefully in the night. Now onward, my life will be running quite smoothly and I hope to join you for walks every day.” I was happy to hear this. I heard him laughing at some joke Sarojinidevi cracked. I could also hear his and Sushila’s laughter. After my rounds were over, it was my turn to receive massage. While Sushila was giving me massage, I suddenly heard Ba shouting, “Shushila, come quickly! There is something terribly wrong with Mahadev.” Sushila came running. I had no inkling of fear. Since some years, Mahadev used to have attacks of giddiness, but he would recover in minutes. The doctors had assured me that if Mahadev is not burdened with much work and observes the rules of proper diet and exercise, he would not have any trouble. As soon as Sushila left, I was summoned. I still had no fear. But as I came near where Mahadev was made to lie down, Sushila whispered, “Mahadevbhai is going...” I said, “He cannot…he cannot go. He has to write my biography.” Saying this I tried to wake up Mahadev. But he would not. His eyes were partially open. Sushila checked his pulse, but could not find it.

To be continued next week

Gujarat Samachar, Asian Voice to honour elderly people and 'Shravans'

Like 2011, 2014 and 2015, the Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice along with local organisations from Harrow, Croydon, Leicester, Manchester, Preston, will once again honour all those people aged 80 or above with the co-operation of Vishva Hindu Parishad, Ilford on 19th March 2015 between 11am to 4pm. Welcoming and honouring all the elderly people is in itself a matter of privilege for us and we will truly be blessed by their auspicious presence on this occasion. During this get-together, we will enjoy cultural programmes followed by real vegetarian delicacies with the elders and guest. On the other part we will honour children who are devoted to their parents. We know lot of daughters, sons and their family members are doing great Sewa of their parents and relatives. We will honour that kind of 'Shravans' who devoted their life for

their parents and relatives on that day. If there are any elderly who are aged 80 years or above or if you know sons and daughters or their family members who are doing great Sewa in your family or friends, please send us their short biodata and photo to an email t o kamal.rao@abplgroup.co m or send it by post to Kamal Rao, Gujarat Samachar, Karmayoga House, 12, Hoxton Market, London N1 6HW on or before 10th March 2016. Please let me know how many people will come to the event for catering and other purpose. Date: 19th March 2016, Saturday. Time: 11am to 4pm Venue: Vishva Hindu Parishad, 55 Albert Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1HS, UK. For more information call Kamal Rao : 020 7749 4001 / 07875 229 211.

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India and Nepal end all misunderstandings after Oli's visit

Neighbouring countries India and Nepal who have been tied in conflict ever since the latter adopted a new Constitution, has finally resolved all differences as Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli came on a 6day visit to the country. In his maiden foreign trip since assuming charge, it is the first bilateral visit by a Nepalese Prime Minister to New Delhi since Baburam Bhattarai in 2011. Oli said his main agenda behind the visit was “to clear the misunderstanding” and take ties between the two countries to the same level as in 2014, when PM Modi had visited Nepal. After talks with Modi, Oli said, “The misunderstanding that persisted in the last few months is no longer there. I believe our relationship will greatly benefit from our discussions. It is high time to look at India-Nepal relations with a forward-looking approach in the interest of the two countries and their people.” Before his meeting with Modi, Oli was called upon by India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. In the meeting, Oli told Swaraj that India and Nepal have a natural and civilisational relationship, as said by Swarup. The visit stresses on the significance

K.P. Sharma Oli and Narendra Modi

and rail transport to and from Vishakhapatnam. Oli's visit is the first bilateral visit by a Nepalese PM since 2011. Oli also visited Bhuj, Gujarat to take stock of the post earthquake reconstruction works in Bhuj after it was devastated by a deadly quake in 2001. The visit aims at learning post earthquake reconstruction as Nepal is in the process of rebuilding after a devastating earthquake struck Nepal in April last year. Oli was taken to the state in special Air India flight from Delhi, and welcomed by Gujarat Governor OP Kohli.

of the relation between both the countries as ties had soured recently over the adoption of a new constitution. External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted, “India and Nepal exchange nine agreements for partnership and progress.” The agreements include utilisation of Indian grant of $250 million for postearthquake reconstruction, improving of road infrastructure in Nepal's Terai area, cultural cooperation, transit between Nepal and Bangladesh through Kakarbitta-Banglabandh corridor, operationalisation of Vishakhapatnam port

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Indian budget begins with a dish of halwa and a few other quirks India is a country obsessed with rituals. And the government does not fall far behind, even when it comes to making the country’s most important financial document - the budget. Here are a few rituals that lighten up the sombre mood in the run-up to the budget day. Dessert kickoff Halwa is a popular Indian dessert made of semolina and sugar. And the process of printing documents for the budget begins with preparing halwa. The dessert is served to all the employees in the finance ministry, in a ceremony that is attended by the finance minister. With that celebration done, over one hundred members of the finance ministry descend into the basement of the North Block. For about 10 days -but only after the “halwa ceremony” is completed - employees who are a part of the budget-making process are locked up in a basement, only to emerge once the finance minister presents the budget in the Lok Sabha. During this entire time, these officials are not permitted to use their mobile phones or any other forms of communication. The basement has one telephone line, which can only receive calls. The documents are guarded so closely that these employees typically don’t talk to their families for the duration of the lock-up. All communication is in the presence of an intelligence officer. Secret sheet It’s called the “blue sheet” simply because it’s a blue sheet of paper - and it

is the most guarded piece of paper out of all the budget documents. The “blue sheet” contains key numbers for the budget, which are constantly updated, and forms the bedrock of the calculations that drive the entire economic planning process. It is entrusted in the care of only one finance ministry mandarin - joint secretary, budget - who cannot let anyone, not even the finance minister, carry it out of North Block. And during the entire budgetmaking process, it is only a handful of the finance ministry brass who get to see this fabled sheet. The briefcase The finance minister’s accessory to carry the budget documents has long been the humble leather suitcase. In British parliamentary parlance, it is called the “budget box,” which is handed down from finance minister to finance minister till it becomes a battered mess of its original self - and is finally replaced. In New Delhi, however, the tradition is followed somewhat half-heartedly. The finance minister does

carry a suitcase to parliament on budget day - and newspaper front pages the day after stand witness but it isn’t handed down. Nonetheless, the finance minister posing with it on the stairs of Parliament has become a celebrated budget ritual. Budget day runaround The day begins early for most members of the finance ministry’s budget division - and ends rather late. The finance minister leaves the North Block around 9 am, and heads to the Rashtrapati Bhawan, where the minister and his team brief the president on the broad contours of the budget. Next, the retinue goes to parliament, where the finance minister meets the prime minister and his cabinet. Here, too, a briefing provides the outline of the budget. All briefing notes are taken back from the ministers and counted. Then, the prime minister accompanies the finance minister to the Lok Sabha to present the budget. This year the union budget will be presented on February 29th and the railway budget will be presented on February 26th.

bouring Rajashtan also doing the rounds. The worst hit were the railways, with over 736 trains cancelled, 105 diverted besides damage to rail property, causing a loss £20 million. Ten stations were burnt, two railway engines and two track machines damaged by the agitators. Tracks were also

The situation rang panic bells in Capital New Delhi as the blockade on West Jamuna Canal and Delhi parallel channel hit the state's water supply. The Delhi government was forced to declare holiday in all educational institutions. Making repairs, Haryana government announced full compensa-

uprooted at several locations. Important rail routes to Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh and Jammu and Kashmir were badly affected. The state government issued orders for blocking all social networking sites.

tion for damage caused to private properties as well as ex-gratia of Rs 1000,000 to the kin of the 19 people killed. It also decided to give full compensation to the loss of properties, both commercial and residential.

Jats to get reservation; violence kills 19

Continued from page1 A breakthrough only came when Jat Sangharsh Samiti leader Jaipal Singh Sangwan appealed for an end to the agitation, as he said their demands had been met. Property worth billions has been put to flames which include malls, railway stations, roadways buses, schools, vehicles, offices etc. Shoot at sight orders were in place in nine districts, including Rohtak, Bhiwani and Jhajhar. In Gurgaon even a railway booking facility centre was torched. Mobs also set the Haryana Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu's house, BJP MLA Maneesh Grover's office and several other offices in the state. Several protesters also reportedly looted a private “gun house” in Rohtak and decamped with arms and ammunition. The violence hit Jind, Hisar, Karnal, Kaithal, Panipat and Sonepat, with reports of Jat agitations in neigh-

AsianVoiceNews

How to tackle excess water in your body FOOD

FITNESS

HEALTH&WELLNESS

AsianVoiceNewsweekly | Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

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LIFESTYLE

India's CSIR launches new drug for diabetes

Excess water in our body leads to unnecessary bloating. Following are some steps to tackle the problem AT BITTER FOOD: Bitter foods can help cut water retention in the body. They stimulate enzyme production and bile flow, leading to better digestion. They also help the liver work at its optimum, which is essential for a detoxed body. If you can't stand bitter food then try this: Begin with green tea (easy to sip), walnuts, eggplants (mildly bitter) and cinnamon (has a sweet-bitter taste). Then progress to using fenugreek seeds and turmeric liberally in your cooking, chewing a few basil leaves every day, and eating karela subzi (or drinking its juice) or bitter greens (rugula, dandelion, radicchio) a few times a week. For the astringent flavour, just incorporate pomegranate, apple, tofu, sprouts, lentils and quinoa more often in your diet. CONTROL YOUR SALT INTAKE: Have you noticed how, the morning after you eat salted popcorn, you are puffy-eyed and have stiff,

swollen hands and feet? That’s because the kidneys retain fluid in our bodies to make sure that the excess salt is diluted. Our bodies need very little salt and are very good at conserving it, so the lesser salt you eat, the better. Try to stick to a total of one teaspoon of salt a day (that’s about 2,400 mg) over all your meals. Remember that junk and processed foods are loaded with sodium. Caution: Monitor your salt intake, because if you eat too little of it, your kidneys try to conserve it, partly by reducing urinary output. EFFICIENT DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: An efficient digestive system helps prevent bloating, so make sure you have enough good bacteria in your gut. Include probiotics in your diet via kefir, miso soup, home-made pickles, probiotic milk and yoghurts. Or eat fermented vegetables, chutneys, idli, dosa batter, dhokla, appam, and drinks like lassi and kanji. But all those good

bugs going into your stomach need to be fed as well, so zero in on wheat, barley, rye, onions, garlic and leeks. And the humble banana is a hero. Research has shown that people who ate a banana twice daily as a pre-meal snack for 60 days experienced a 50 per cent reduction in bloating. HAVE ENOUGH MINERALS: The body uses a balance of dissolved minerals to help regulate fluids. Here’s what you need every day: Potassium: Eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. Nuts and seeds are also good sources. Calcium: Drink 250 ml of skimmed milk and eat one small bowl of yoghurt and one serving of green leafy vegetables or another cup of yoghurt a day. Magnesium: Eat a handful of dry roasted unsalted nuts (preferably almonds), salad (200 gm) and two servings of fruit. GOODBYE GAS, HELLO ANISEED: Very often it’s

gas (not water) that causes bloating. Eat at least one carminative herb per meal. In other words, eat some saunf. Fennel (saunf), chamomile and peppermint tea eliminate gas and bloating by relaxing the gut. Fresh ginger does the same. TRY NATURAL DIURETICS: Several herbal teas have a mild diuretic effect, particularly parsley tea. Brew two teaspoons of dried leaves per cup of boiling water and steep for ten minutes. Drink up to three cups a day. Try the vitamin cure: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), and vitamin D help the body to excrete excess fluid. Good sources of vitamin B6 include brown rice, fresh fruits and low-fat dairy foods. Eat mushrooms, cheese, eggs, sunflower seeds and sweet potatoes for B5, and to score enough D, spend some time in the sun every day without fail.

The benefits of eating almonds daily

lmonds are packed with protein, Vitamin E, minerals and mono unsaturated fats that have been shown to boost your health. According to a team of American researchers, eating a moderate amount of almonds every day may enrich the diets of adults and young children. "Almonds are a good source of plant protein essential fatty acids, vitamin E and magnesium," said Alyssa Burns, a doctoral student at University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in US. For the 14-week study, scientists gave almonds daily to 29 pairs of parents and children. Most of the adults were mothers with an average age of 35, while their children were between 3 and 6 years old. The children were encouraged to consume 0.5 ounces of almond butter daily. Parents were given

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1.5 ounces of almonds per day. Participants ate almonds for a few weeks, then they resumed eating their typical intake, which included other foods as snacks. Researchers based their conclusions about improved dietary intake on participants' scores on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), a tool used to measure diet quality and adherence to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Researchers used an online dietary recall to find out what adults had eaten and how much. That way, researchers could measure diet quality, Burns said. When parents and chil-

dren were eating almonds, their HEI increased for total protein foods, seafood and plant proteins and fatty acids, Burns said, while they ate fewer empty calories. Parents also decreased sodium intake. Parents and children consumed more vitamin E and magnesium when eating almonds, she said. "Almonds are equally nourishing raw or soaked. When soaked overnight the germination process starts in these seeds so the quality of proteins may show some improvement. By replacing one snack with one ounce of almonds, you are removing empty calorie dense food with a nutrient dense

alternative," suggests Dr. Rupali Datta, Chief Clinical Nutritionist at Fortis-Escorts Hospital. Talking about the benefits of eating almonds everyday she adds, "They are sources of unsaturated fats, high-quality vegetable protein, fiber, minerals, tocopherols, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds. By virtue of their nutritional composition they are potent health boosters. Clinical studies across the worlds have shown the positive effect of nuts on cardiovascular risk factors, weight management and to a lesser extent on cancer, inflammation and hypertension."

ndia's Council for Scientific and I n d u s t r i a l Research (CSIR) has launched a scientifically validated ayurvedic drug (BGR-34) for type II diabetes. The drug Blood Glucose Regulator-34 (BGR-34) was jointly developed by two research units of CSIR- the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and the Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP). The drug is made of

extracts from six herbs including daruharidra (berberis aristata), giloy (tinospora cordifolia), vijayasar (pterocarpus marsupium), gudmar (gymnema sylvestre), majeeth (rubia cordifoila) and methika (trigonella foenumgraecum). Dr A K S Rawat, senior principal scientist, CSIRNBRI said India is home to around 60 million diabetics. "BGR-34 works by controlling blood sugar and limiting the harmful effects of other drugs," he added.

Ill-effects of antibiotics

e may pop antibiotics whenever we fall sick. While they may give you temporary relief, in the long run, they can cause irreversible damage to your body. Here are a few: They increase the risk of obesity. According to studies, industrial raised animals are given low doses of antibiotics to make them fatter, which could also occur in humans. Can cause type I diabetes: Since antibiotics kill the beneficial bacteria in the intestines, they play havoc with your immune system. If you consume a large dose of them since an early age, it can cause your immune system to attack the pancreas, thus affecting

your insulin-making process, causing diabetes. They can destroy bacteria like H. pylori. Though a bad bacteria, it is the reason which protects people from asthma. Killing it can lead to asthma. Resistant to infections: The biggest disadvantage of taking antibiotics on a regular basis is that it increases the risk of antibiotic resistant infections.

Aspirin can treat Alzheimer's, other such disorders

new study says that a component of aspirin can block a cell death associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. Aspirin binds to an enzyme called GAPDH which is believed to play a major role in neurodegenerative diseases. "The enzyme GAPDH, long thought to function solely in glucose metabolism, is now known to participate in intra-cellular signaling," said study coauthor Solomon Snyder, professor of neuroscience at

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. "The new study establishes that GAPDH is a target for salicylate drugs related to aspirin and hence may be relevant to the therapeutic actions of such drugs," he noted. The salicylic acid is the primary breakdown product of aspirin. "A better understanding of how salicylic acid and its derivatives regulate the activities of the key protein can lead to the development of new and better salicylic acid-based treatments of a wide variety of devastating diseases," Snyder explained.

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Samantha to rule in summer

Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

he upcoming summer season is going to belong to Samantha more than any other heroine. The pretty actress has ‘Theri’ with Ilayathalapathy Vijay releasing on the 14th of April followed by ‘24’ with Suriya in May along with the Tamil/Telugu bilingual ‘Brahmotsavam’

with Mahesh Babu. Sam also has her Telugu movie with Nitin ‘A..Aa… ’releasing on the 22nd April making it a big lineup of summer treats for her fans. This year she is slated to star with Dhanush in ‘Vada Chennai’ apart from a couple of big budget Telugu films.

Rajinikanth in a superhit Malayalam remake!

uperstar Rajinikanth will now act in a Malayalam remake and will be reprising the role played by Megastar Mammootty in the original. Director Siddique had directed last year's super hit Malayalam flick 'Bhaskar The Rascal' with Mammootty and Nayanthara in lead roles. In his recent interview to a popular Malayalam weekly, Siddique has confirmed that he will be directing the film's Tamil remake with Superstar Rajinikanth in the lead role. Rajinikanth has just completed shooting for the film 'Kabali' directed by Pa.Ranjith and he will resume shooting for director Shankar's mega budget sci-fi flick '2.0'

which will keep him busy for the rest of the year. Going by Siddique's confirmation, we can expect that the star will start acting in the remake film from early 2017 if all things go as planned. 'Bhaskar the Rascal' is the story of two different divorced single parents, falling in love and getting united in conjugal bliss with the help of their respective children.

Trisha becomes a politician AsianVoiceNews

ctress Trisha has completed more than a decade in Kollywood and she remains as the top league heroine. For the first time Trisha is acting a role with negative shades in 'Kodi' which is also her first film with actor Dhanush. While it is well known that Dhanush plays a politician in the film, now it has come out that Trisha is also acting as a politician in this film directed by Durai Senthilkumar of 'Ethirneechal' and 'Kaaki Sattai' fame. A picture

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leaked from the shooting spot that is doing rounds in Social media depicts Trisha in a political hoarding that addresses her as Selvi Rudra M. This reveals that Rudhra isTrisha's character name in this political thriller and she is the local Member of Parliament. The Tamil words in the hoarding reveal that it is about a students' protest against a local factory and the hoarding is to announce the local MP's (played by Trisha) participation in the protest.

Tamil film on power crisis wins award

anavu Variyam', a film directed by A r u n Chidambaram which deals with the impact of power crisis in the villages of Tamil Nadu, has won the prestigious ‘Remi Award’ which will be given at the 49th World Fest Houston International Film Festival scheduled from April 8-17, 2016. Of over thousands entries, from over 43 movie-pro-

Tere Bin Laden: Dead or Alive

ducing nations worldwide, only a few are chosen for screening. 'Kanavu Variyam's world premiere will be at WorldFest. In addition to playing the lead role and directing the movie, Arun has written the Story, Screenplay, Dialogues and Lyrics for the film. 'Kalla Manna' (‘Stone Or Sand’) a song featuring in the film has also won international recognition.

Shah Rukh gifts 'Fan' anthem to his fans

Aligarh

A riot fest. Watch a desperate director shoot a fake tape to prove the death of Osama Bin Laden.

Based on a true events, Aligarh tells the story of a professor who was terminated from his job because of his sexuality.

hah Rukh Khan gave a special present to his die-hard fans who had waited for him at the Hansraj College of Delhi University in form of special song of his upcoming film 'Fan.' "I am lucky that the college authorities have given me permission to come here and launch one of my favourite songs... It's a special moment for me to come back to my college after so many years," Shah Rukh said after launching the anthem. The song has been completely shot in the capital. Film's director Maneesh Sharma, also a Hansraj alumni, said it was just a promotional track. "It won't be a part of the film. It is just a promotional song. We are having the premiere here in our college." The peppy number, composed by music duo Vishal-Shekhar, introduces Gaurav, one of Shah Rukh's characters.

Sridevi’s daughter likely to join B-Town soon

ver since Sridevi's daughter Jhanvi Kapoor has started making her superstylish appearances at events with her mom dearest, we've been waiting with bated breath to make her B-Town debut. Reports about Jhanvi making her debut with a Tamil film had been doing the rounds for the longest time until Sridevi finally rubbished these rumours. However, this recent piece of news has clearly spilled the beans... According to a report, the young diva is currently preparing for her acting career in LA at the The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. Looks like we will sure see Jhanvi working her charm on the silver screen. Jhanvi is not the only star kid to have drawn attention over her Bollywood career. There are many other star kids too in the limelight.

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Indian women are our Kareena breaks her no-kissing rule everyday heroes: Sonam for Balki AsianVoiceNews

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areena Kapoor has broken her 'no kiss on screen' rule for R Balki’s Ki and Ka. In the film she was seen kissing her costar Arjun Kapoor. When she was offered Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 'Bajirao Mastani,' Bebo had made it clear that she would not do any intimate scenes with Ranveer Singh now that she was the begum of the Pataudi khandaan. In fact, in Prakash Jha’s 'Satyagrah' an intimate scene with Kareena and Ajay Devgn was toned down. Director R Balki shrugs off all suggestions of special concessions from the dignified diva. "Kareena and Arjun play husband and wife in my film. So what do husband and wives do? They show affection with a kiss, right? How else should Kareena and Arjun behave while playing man and wife?" he asks. Balki says the question

Women in India are brave and are empowering themselves, says Sonam Kapoor, known for voicing her opinion on gender issues. "I feel that women today, here and in India's smaller cities, rural areas and everywhere, are our everyday heroes. They are bold, brave, standing out and empowering themselves. They are compassionate, giving and sensitive to the needs of others around," Sonam told reporters. She will be seen in 'Neerja' a biopic of Neerja Bhanot, a Pan Am flight attendant who died saving passengers on a hijacked plane. Sonam said Neerja represents the Indian women, who are ready to face any challenge with courage. "Neerja as an empowered and brave young woman embodies the characteristics of women today... Brave and ready with what life throws at you. This is what Neerja did under an extraordinary circumstance with a resolve and defiance that was parallel to none..." She was speaking at the inauguration of FICI FLO Film Festival. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was present at the event, said movies should be used to spread awareness among people. "People worldwide, specially in India, love, dream and idolise films. Our lives are impacted by what happens in films. Although one may say that films are based on imaginary stories but mostly they are a reflection of what has been happening in the society," he said.

Bhansali to announce his next project

a n j a y L e e l a Bhansali is all set to announce his next flick. According to a leading magazine, after delivering the super-hit 'Bajirao Mastani', the maverick director will announce his next big film on his birthday, February 24.As per the churning news-mill, the 'Saawariyan' director will also be launching veteran actor Vinod Khanna's third son Sakshi in an upcoming project. Marking £10 million, Bhansali this year bagged the best director award at the Filmfare with ' Bajirao Mastani' sweeping away almost all the categories, including best film of 2015. On his larger than canvas, the 52year-old director has given us classics like 'Khamoshi', 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', 'Devdas', 'Black', 'Goliyon Ki Raasleela' and more.

Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

of whether to kiss or not did not even come up for discussion. "Bebo and I didn’t even discuss this. The pecks and kisses are a given in any marriage. How could I show a married couple in Delhi not doing the normal things?" "Bebo didn’t even ask me why her character had to kiss her screen husband. It’s basic logic. Why are we making such

a fuss about it?" he adds. "Most films about marriage are dark and unhappy. I wanted to make a happy, sunny film on marriage. Arjun and Kareena are the ideal spouses. In fact, my wife (filmmaker Gauri Shinde) is already asking me why I can’t treat her the way Arjun treats Kareena in Ki and Ka. So I see major trouble for husbands after the film’s release," he says.

Everyone knows what happened this Christmas, apart from the usual celebrations and merriment? Katrina Kaif and Ranbir posed together as a couple for the shutterbugs, something they seldom do. We know that Katrina attended Shashi Kapoor’s Christmas party, which is an annual get

together of sorts for the huge Kapoor family. And like every year, the Kapoors came together for a family photo with a new addition to it… Katrina! Oh yes, the girl was snapped with the rest of the family, including Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan and others.

Ranbir skips Randhir Kapoor's birthday bash

eteran actor Randhir Kapoor celebrated his 69th birthday on February 15, 2016. The Kapoor Khandaan, including Randhir's daughters, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Karisma Kapoor were present at the bash. While Rishi and Neetu Kapoor, too, were photographed at the function, their son and Randhir's nephew, Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor decided to give the gathering a miss. The obvious assumption behind his absence was that he was avoiding company post his alleged break-up with Katrina Kaif, but turns out that wasn't the case. According to reports, the actor is busy shooting for his upcoming flick, 'Jagga Jasoos' with Katrina and hence couldn't make it to the party.

Salman promotes Iulia Vantur's new show

ollywood superstar Salman Khan, who is rumoured to be d a t i n g Romanian TV presenter Iulia Vantur, promoted her new show 'Ferma vedetelor' over social media. The show is an adaptation of internationally acclaimed reality show 'The Farm'.Vantur, who is returning as a host of the show for its second season, posted a video of herself on Instagram in which she can be heard speaking in Romanian. In the caption, she wrote that the show starts on Wednesday. Salman, who is reportedly planning to host the Indian version of the show, took to Twitter to share the same video of Vantur. "Samjh mein aaya? (Did you understand?)," Salman wrote in the caption. In another tweet, he wrote: "The show I've been wanting to do for longest time. It's like 'Bigg Boss' but on Farm. So many things you can do with this".

Jacqueline to join Hollywood bandwagon now?

f t e r Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone now it is the turn of Jacqueline Fernandez to join Hollywood. According to a report, the actress recently caught up with her friend, Fagun Thakrar of 'Bhopal- A prayer for Rain' fame, who is preparing up for her directorial debut with a Warner Brothers' project. The report stated that Jacqueline visited Fagun after completing her Dubai schedule of 'Dishoom'. The friends caught up over dinner discussing films, fashion, new project and life in general. Ever since the girls' dinner date, rumours have been doing the rounds that Jackie will star in Fagun's directotial venture. If Jacqueline does become a part of the film, it would be her first Hollywood and second international film after 'Definition of Fear.'

Parineeti to appear in serial now

ctress Parineeti Chopra says her parents Pawan and Reena Chopra have always treated all her siblings equally and there was no discrimination of any kind. Parineeti, who has brothers Shivang and Saraj, will be seen on TV show “Mission Sapne”, wherein she will help 13-year-old Bhavna Suthalya to secure a better future. “I grew up with two brothers but my parents never subjected to any kind of discrimination and made sure that I get best education,” Parineeti said in a statement. “I believe that girls and boys should be treated as equals and we need to work towards eradicating all the discernment that still exists. The men of the house should stand up and take the responsibility of educating every single woman of their family thereby bringing about a major change in the society,” she added.

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Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

Avanti House School granted planning permission for new permanent home in Stanmore A new Avanti House School in Stanmore has been given the green light. Harrow Council’s planning committee unanimously decided to grant planning permission last night for the Hindu secondary school to build a permanent new home. A three storey school building with detached sports hall and community changing block will now be built on the Whitchurch Playing Fields site in Wemborough Road. The application drew 652 letters of support and

received 125 objections. Despite the development being contrary to the site's allocated purpose, Harrow Council ruled there were "compelling" material planning grounds which justified approval of the application. Supporters of the school, who had campaigned for the success of the application, went to the council chamber to hear the decision. Objectors concerned about flooding, traffic, noise and residential amenity were present and

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l Mother's Day Special- Shree Sattavis Gam Patidar Samaj to host Mother's Day on 13 March, 4:30pm till late, Sunday, Forty Avebue, HA9 9PE. Contact: Jyotsna 07904722575 l FREE monthly lectures on Hinduism by Swami Nirliptananda ji and Prof Jatindra Saha BSc Hons, MSc, MS, PhD, CPhys, MInstP, MBNES who is a scholar of Hinduism and Vedic Philosophy, especially Vedanta and Science. 4-5:30pm on the second Saturday every month starting from April 9th 2016. Open to all from age 14.

l Shishukunj to host first concert at the newly renovated Shishukunj Bhavan on Saturday 26th March 2016. Anuradha Pal (student of Ustad Zakir Hussein and widely regarded as one of the best female table players in the world) will be performing with her band Stree Shakti – an all-female line-up of talented classical musicians. Contact: Jagdeepbhai on 07801 187286

spoke at the meeting. Commenting on the grant of planning permission, Navin Shah, London Assembly Member for Harrow, said: “This is great news for the parents and pupils of the current Avanti Primary School in Harrow and a large number of supporters who’ve waited eagerly for this suc-

cessful outcome. "This is also great news for Harrow’s education because the school will make a vital contribution to much needed school places." He added the school would give "vital choice" to the residents of the multifaith, multicultural Harrow.

Disputed Khalsa Secondary Academy allowed to stay A controversial faith-based secondary school has been given approval to remain in a village after a threeyear saga. Khalsa Secondary Academy was given approval by the Greg Clark, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to remain at its site in Hollybush Hill, Stoke Poges last Thursday. The Sikh-faith school has been at the Pioneer House site since 2013, and following a long-running legal battle has been given permission to make the site its permanent home. Nick Kandola, chairman of the Slough Sikh Education Trust behind the school, said: “We are naturally delighted with receiving the positive news

of planning approval after a lengthy delay. “This decision and the previous determination by the Secretary of State provides confidence to the parents and the school community that the school clearly meets the requirements for prior approval. “The school is now in its third year of operation and is doing well according to recent inspection visits and current and prospective parents and pupils will be delighted to receive this news.”

l Mahatma Gandhi Foundation (UK) hosts Ganbdhi Nirvan Deen, Wednesday 2 March, 6-10pm at Kadwa patidar Centre, Kenmore avenue, HA3 8LU. Contact: Surendrabhai Patel 020 8450 1175

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ble. Do not be misled by inconsequential issues as you will have better opportunities if you stick to your main objectives. The domestic scene may prove to be active and harmonious as long as you use tact and diplomacy. Mentally you will be in good form to make on-the-spot decisions.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 Your attention turns to

money and finance this week. You are satisfied with your love life, but now you’ve got to get busy making cash. You have much professional territory yet to cover, with two planets in your work sector, there is no reason why you should not get there.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 An exchange of opinions

ought to prove very enlivening at this time. An influence that should help to enjoy the 'nicer' side of others brings out the best in friends and partners alike. A wind of change may be in the air; attention should turn to the wider world and benefits come from broadening of horizons and mental stimuli.

CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22 Legal matters are likely to occupy your attention this week. A long-standing problem or disagreement will need to be sorted out before allowing you to restructure both personal and joint financial interests more efficiently. You will be able to resolve issues as Venus and Mercury are both transiting your 8th house. LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 You will feel energetic and confident as the week begins. Developments during this week are likely to make you feel rather restless, perhaps because you have allowed yourself to fall into a routine that is now becoming jaded. If so, then the hint of change will be extremely welcome.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23 If your ambitions have been undefined, don't worry as from now on, you understand exactly what kind of impact you need to make on the world. Venus and Mercury are both in your work sector ruling your daily life. All those little details should run perfectly, without you constantly worrying. Health-wise you will be feeling fit and relaxed.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23 You have everything to gain by following creative inclinations. If you have new ideas, now is the time to put them into practice. Whatever your present interests you are likely to find that new doors open and the way ahead offers increased scope for expressing your real self. A great time to meet and interact with people. SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

l Dementia ka safar, a play, 6 April, 1:15-2:15pm, Sangam association of Asian Women, Edgware HA8 0AP. Contact: 020 8952 7062

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There may be a discrepancy between the energy you put out and the actual result achieved. You can do much to minimise this effect by avoiding distractions and concentrating on only what is most essential at a day-to-day level. Try to take things in your stride rather than anticipating what might happen.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 This week you will be mentally alert and have the ability to sort out any practical problems. Matters of the heart are not favoured this week, so expect some setbacks. Plan ahead for the long term where finances are concerned as this is a good time to invest. The atmosphere at home is likely to be convivial and joyous. CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

Efforts to restructure and transform your lifestyle are more likely to meet with success. Experience you have built up in the past will now stand you in good stead. If you are thinking of investments, then this is an opportune time to go ahead with your plans. Co-operative ventures are likely to generate financial success.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 You should enjoy a very popular phase in your life where everyone wants to invite you to parties. This will give you a chance to meet people of your own calibre and pursue any romantic liaisons that might present themselves. Your career is going from strength to strength - take advantage of this phase. PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

This week should see you at the peak of your creative powers and at the height of a romance. It’s an exciting, expansive time, when you should find it easier to be who you are and do what you want. This is a tremendously exciting time for you, in which you can embrace changes you might not even consider at other times.

SPORT

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BCCI to move SC against Lodha panel recommendations

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to approach the Supreme Court against the recommendations in the report submitted by the Justice R M Lodha committee. The BCCI had convened a special general meeting at its headquarters on Friday in which the members authorised secretary Anurag Thakur to file an affidavit in the apex court on the board's behalf, pointing out the anomalies and difficulties encountered in the implementation of the Lodha committee's recommendations. The working committee members also authorised Thakur and BCCI president Shashank Manohar to discuss the governance and financial restructuring of the International Cricket Council (ICC) subject to such restructuring being incorporated in the constitution of the ICC for permanency. The move is aimed at ending the monopoly of India, Australia and England in the ICC, which

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R M Lodha

has been one of the stated aims of the BCCI chief. The BCCI also decided to rework the future tours programme (FTP) for the period 2016 to 2023 in order to ensure equitable distribution of matches. The BCCI members also approved the recommendation of the board's affiliation committee to grant full member status to the Chhattisgarh association. Chhattisgarh will be a part of the central zone for all domestic tournaments. "We are happy that BCCI has awarded us full membership status and we can now play in the Ranji Trophy. The talented boys

who are in our state are eager to perform well in the competition and aim for a place in the national side soon," Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh president Baldev Singh Bhatia told reporters. "I thank BCCI for this and I am sure cricket in Chhattisgarh from now on will make the country proud," he added. The Lodha committee was set up by the Supreme Court to clean up cricket administration in the country after a corruption and match-fixing scandal hit the Indian Premier League (IPL), leading to two-year suspensions of three-time champions Chennai Super

Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

Indian women beat Lanka to seal series

Kings and inaugural edition winners Rajasthan Royals. The three-member Lodha panel has put forward several recommendations to the Supreme Court which, if implemented, could have far reaching effects on cricket administration in India. Among the recommendations are limitation of tenure for officebearers of the BCCI and state associations, prescription to limit their age to 70 years, one state-one vote (set to directly affect the associations within the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat) and barring of ministers and government officials from becoming office-bearers. Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) secretary Niranjan Shah, who was present at the meeting, said the SCA would be filing an affidavit in the Supreme Court, since the limitation of tenure, one state-one vote and the recommendation of age-cap of 70 might force him to quit if they come into effect. "We will be filing an affidavit in Supreme Court," Shah said after the meeting.

Six year old from Mumbai ranked 6th in world chess players Making a record entry into the list of the world's youngest rated chess players in the girls category, Mumbai-based six-year old Suhaani Lohia has made a place for herself at the 6th position in the world. A Senior KG student of Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Suhaani now officially belongs to the top league, beside players from highprofiled chess hubs like Iran, Russia, and Denmark. The list, released by the World Chess Federation gave her the position with an ELO points of 1156. The prodigy trains at the South Mumbai Chess Academy,

under some really qualified coaches who are positive about her future in the game. Coach FIDE Master Balaji Guttula said, “Suhaani's win comes at a favourable time, as the fra-

ternity tries constantly and vigorously to emphasise on increasing the participationg of girls in the game of chess and claiming their places alongside their male counterparts. And this

achievement according to him will inspire girls from across the nation to pursue their talents and contribute to bringing pride and honour to the country.” She won a silver last month at the prestigious Nationals Schools Chess Championships at Nagpur in the U-7 category with a remarkable score of seven points out of nine. Proud mother Sheetal, a jewellery designer, said, “She is a very quick learner and picked up the game watching her elder brother Siddhant play. She has been watching Siddhant from the age of four and in two years she made a mark for him.”

The Indian women cricket team took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka with a six-wicket win in the second match. Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka could manage only 178 for nine in the allotted 50 overs at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. India's 18year-old Deepti Sharma was the wrecker-in-chief, picking up four for 23 with her medium pace bowling, to set up the home side's win. Skipper Mithali Raj then remained unbeaten on 53 to guide her team home with as many as 41 balls to spare. India were 179 for four in 43.1 overs when the winning run was scored. Raj, who struck four boundaries in her 80-ball knock, was supported by opener Smriti Mandhana (46), who narrowly missed out on her fourth successive fifty-plus score, and Harmanpreet Kaur (41). Mandhana hit four boundaries and a six in her run-aball innings, while Kaur found the fence six times while facing 61 balls. Chasing a modest total, India were off to a solid start scoring 67 runs for the opening wicket in just under 14 overs before Thirush Kamini fell to Sugandika Kumari for a 44-ball 26, which included five hits to the fence. Going through a good run of form, Mandhana too got out to the same bowler when in sight of yet another half century. After that it was left to the experienced pair of Mithali and Harmanpreet to help the hosts inch closer to victory. India lost Kaur and Veda Krishnamurthy in quick succession, but Raj stayed firm till the end. Left-arm spinner Kumari was the most successful bowler for Sri Lanka, returning figures of 4/39. Earlier, the Lankans lost wickets at regular intervals to be restricted to a meager total.

Bhupathi wins first title in three years

Mahesh Bhupathi, who is making a comeback to competitive tennis after an injury lay-off, won his first title in three years as he combined with Yuki Bhambri to clinch the Delhi Open while Saketh Myneni reached the singles final. Playing high quality tennis, Bhupathi and Bhambri won 6-3, 4-6, 10-5 against defending champions Saketh Myneni and Sanam Singh in the final that was a cut above the usual Challenger level matches. Myneni could not win the doubles title but earlier in the day he was all class, winning his singles semifinal 6-3, 6-2 against second seed Belgian

Nagpur gives warm welcome to charity walker Bobby Grewal

Bobby Grewal, the India Association chairman, who began his trek across India with the aim of raising £1,500,000 for charity, was given a warm welcome at Nagpur. He has already covered 1,940 km of his Bobby’s Walk Full Circle Charity Fundraiser that has seen him walk from Kanyakumari to Delhi at the age of 80! Arriving on 5th of February on the outskirts of the city, his first night’s stay had been arranged at the guest house of the Jamtha Cricket Stadium. Leaving early the next morning, Bobby was greeted by Shirish Dharwekar and Anand Sahasrabudhe of the national charity

Bobby Grewal

Saksham, one of the two causes supported by the walk. Bobby was greeted along the way by hundreds of school children who had lined the route enthusiastically waving flags and shouting words of encouragement. Some also held banners welcoming Bobby to Nagpur.

Bobby visited the Bharat Utkarsha Mandal School and Hospital, stopped for a rest at the Pride Hotel and met with Nagpur’s Mayor outside the Radisson Blu Hotel. Bobby met with many Radisson Blu staff with speech and hearing impairments who had been successfully placed in jobs with the help of Saksham and Radisson. An evening press conference followed at Nagpur Press Association HQ wrapping up a tiring but motivating day. On Sunday 7th February, Bobby visited the Ramdas Peth Gurudwara where he was welcomed to talk about his walk raising

money for the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund and Saksham’s ‘Corneal Blindness free India by 2018’ campaign. The next day also he was welcomed by thousands of more eager school children and staff lined the route with some of the school’s bands welcoming him. He visited the SGGS Educational Institute school then spoke at the Singh Sabha Gurudwara before continuing on his way to stop for lunch at Food Junction Restaurant on the Kamptee Road. Bobby stopped for the night before making his way toward the Pench National Park the next day.

The India Association are managing Bobby’s Walk Full Circle and together with Bobby are grateful to Dr Sukumar, Shirish Dharwekar, Anand Sahasrabudhe, all Saksham members, schools and staff involved in organising such a warm Nagpur welcome. The schools who greeted Bobby were Bharat Utkarsha Mandal, Narayana Vidyalaya, DSS Idyalayachichbhavan, Shantiniketan Gyanpith, Santaji College, Jupiter Convent, Pratapnagar School, Madhav Netra Pedhi, Tbran Mandal School, MSS Social College, Saraswati Vidyalaya, Deaf & Dumb

School, Hindu Dnyapeeth, Dharampeth Girls School, Dharampeth Boys School, Dharampeth College, Hadas High School, Sewa Sadan Jr College, Sewa Sadan Primary School, Madan Gopal Agrwal School, Snehangan MSS Disabled School, Matru Sewa Sangh Hostel and MSS Hospital. From Nagpur Bobby started walking the remaining 1,060 km through Narsinghpur, Sagar, Gwalior, Jhansi and Agra before arriving in Delhi by 8th April. In total, he would have covered 3,000 km from the north to south of India and by that time, in his own words he will be ’81 years young’.

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Asian Voice | 27th February 2016

Asia Cup T20: Dhoni skips practice session McCullum smashes fastest

Uncertain for Wednesday's Asia Cup opener against Bangladesh, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday skipped the entire training session of the Indian cricket team here even though he accompanied the side to the ground. Nursing back spasms, Dhoni's availability for the match at Mirpur on Wednesday is not clear with his vice-captain Virat Kohli also refraining from giving a clear response. While a lot of players don't train on pre-match days, Dhoni normally plays football and does batting practice in the nets. Although, he never does any keeping drills during training sessions, he does gather a few before taking the field on match days. In a nutshell, Dhoni can't be ruled out till the playing XI is announced before toss on Wednesday. Dhoni has been suffering from back spasms which resulted in Parthiv Patel being flown in on SOS basis as cover for the Indian captain. While he did not take part in the training session, Dhoni keenly watched his teammates go through the

Mahendra Singh Dhoni paces at the Khan Saheb Osman Ali Stadium, on Tuesday. A keen footballer, who would never miss a game, Dhoni stood behind the goalpost at the pavilion end, watching his teammates warm-up. Later, when the nets started, he watched Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma bat. In between, he did give some catching practice to Ajinkya Rahane, who is unlikely to feature in the XI now that Virat Kohli has made a comeback. Dhoni's replacement Parthiv Patel did arrive by afternoon but was given rest as he has flown in from Mumbai this afternoon. If the pint-sized wicket-keeper batsman from Gujarat

gets to play, it will be without a proper net session with the team. The bigger reason that Dhoni will be keen to get fit is because Parthiv can't bat in all key positions in the shortest format. The other problem with Parthiv is his inability to hit big sixes during death overs. His best has come against the new ball. He takes advantage of the field restrictions in the first six overs at least sporadically in the IPL. But given the settled top-order, Parthiv is unlikely to be included in the upper half of the lineup. In fact, he may be sent after the big-hitting Hardik Pandya. Among other players, Ashish Nehra did his own routine before bowling a few deliveries at the nets. One such sharp bouncer surprised Pandya, who seemed rattled by the steep bounce generated by the 36-yearold Delhiite. The other notable aspect during the training session was Ravindra Jadeja's big-hitting. Whether it was Harbhajan Singh or the net bowlers, Jadeja was regularly sending the deliveries soaring into the stands.

Parthiv Patel recalled as standby The Indian selectors have this time tilted towards experience rather than youth. They have packed the T20 squad with players who spent youth long time back. Ashish Nehra, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Parthiv Patel as a standby for Dhoni who has been a doubtful case. Consider this: There was one other player, Sanjay Bangar, apart from these in the 2003 World Cup squad who is also currently associated with the Indian team but as Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s batting coach now. The selectors have gone analog in this digital age. There is wisdom to most of the selections. For a while now, Nehra has been one of the best Indian bowlers in the T20 format in pressure situations, whom most of his captains turn to. Yuvraj Singh too keeps raking in the cash in IPLs and his all-round value in Indian conditions isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t unknown commodity. Harbhajan Singh has been probably bowling somewhere near his best in the recent times.

century in final Test

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum set a new record for the fastest Test century on the first day of the second Test against Australia when he clouted exactly 100 runs in 54 balls. McCullum, who hit 16 fours and four sixes to notch his 12th Test century, needed two fewer balls than the 56 that West Indies' Viv Richards needed against England in Antigua in 1986 and Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq took against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014. The 34-year-old was actually dismissed on 39 when Mitchell Marsh produced a superb diving catch in the gully but was reprieved when television replays showed James Pattinson had bowled a no ball. Playing his 101st and final Test, McCullum counter-attacked before lunch after Australia had reduced his side to 32 for three. He took 21 runs off Marsh's first over and went to the break on 37, before he used his second life to attack Australia's bowlers, dispatching them

Brendon McCullum

to all parts of Hagley Oval. He was scoring so quickly, the milestone only flashed up on the big screen when he was on 96, bringing the crowd to their feet and he promptly hit the next delivery to long-off for his 16th boundary. McCullum had earlier surpassed the record for most Test sixes when he hit his 101st before lunch. McCullum moved to 11 with the shot over the long on boundary from the bowling of Marsh. He had equalled former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist on 100 sixes in the second innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Dunedin in December.